My name is Isaac Behnke, I’m a freshman playing wide receiver at the University of Dubuque. Mental health has never been much of an issue for me throughout high school since I grew up in a very supporting and loving family. And school was a great place for me as I had lots of good friends and much success in sports. However, I have seen the effects of mental health issues all around me. I had a football teammate commit suicide in 8th grade because of bullying, which was shocking to all of us. Also, my mom is a mental health therapist, so I have heard stories of people with these issues and how she helps them turn their life around. I think it’s very important to be aware of and support people with their mental health because you never know who is struggling. I’m sure I will continue to witness this in college as that can be a hard and stressful time for many, especially athletes as they try to juggle school and the pressures of competition. As a student athlete at UD, I will strive to be aware and help those struggling with their mental health.
