My name is Michael Westbrooks. I was born and raised in Northfield, Ohio. I attended Nordonia High school and graduated in 2021. I am a Senior at the University of Dubuque, and I am pursuing a degree in Sport Management. I play middle linebacker and defensive end for the University of Dubuque football team and recently transferred from another institution. I never would’ve thought I would end up in Dubuque, Iowa. Coming out of high school I was excited to go to college and all the great times I would experience with my new friends. Not knowing the other side of the coin, I would later experience something that I had never thought to be possible in my life like depression and social anxiety. All my childhood friends were gone, and I was in a whole new environment with no support like I had at home. I never wanted to go out and have fun with the team and I would always have my headphones in to avoid social interaction. I would never talk about my problems and what was bothering me. I would hold everything in and it made me hard to be around and it affected my schoolwork and how I played on the field. However, I found a group of teammates that gave me new life. They would welcome me in with open arms and make me feel like I’ve been friends with them for years. I would eat with them, play games with them and even pray with them. My new brothers/ family gave me a new purpose and a new direction, and I don’t know where I would be without them– I owe them everything. I never thought about how important it was to consciously and consistently maintain your mental and physical health. Your mental health is so important to your physical health, and they work hand and hand with each other. I soon found comfort in a fellow classmate that had seen me change from happy and upbeat to sad and depressed. Over time I was able to get back on the right path and keep up with my mental health and my physical health. I have since learned from my experience and would like to help all student- athletes who struggle with their mental health and need a friend to help them get back up when they feel down. I’m happy I found the University of Dubuque. Now I have a home away from home and people I can call family when I can’t be with mine.
