'Berg launches Morgan's Message chapter to support student-athlete mental health

When freshman wrestler Athulya Nair arrived at Heidelberg University this fall, she quickly noticed there wasn’t a place on campus for student-athletes to talk openly about mental health. Drawing on her experience as a Morgan’s Message ambassador in high school, she decided to bring the national nonprofit to Heidelberg.

Morgan’s Message® is a nonprofit organization that strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. The organization aims to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone.

Within two weeks of arriving at Heidelberg, Nair began meeting with Dr. Ben Pugno, Director of Student Engagement, who helped her establish the new chapter. The chapter's first meeting is on October 15th, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Creating a safe space

The group plans to hold monthly meetings open to all students. Each session will feature a short presentation and an activity designed to help students de-stress and connect.

“Our first meeting will talk about what Morgan’s Message is, give a little backstory about Morgan, introduce the officers and our advisor,” Athulya said. “Then we’ll have a carry-in. There’ll be a quick presentation, and we’ll do a fun activity.”

She also hopes to plan nature walks, Humane Society visits, and other events that encourage relaxation and community. “Sometimes we get so caught up in our sport that we forget to think about ourselves as humans,” she said. “These meetings are a reminder that you’re more important than your sport.”

Breaking the stigma

For Athulya, the goal is to change how athletes approach mental health. “People think athletes are tough and they just kind of get through things a lot easier than other people,” she said. “But that’s not true. You can be around people and still feel lonely.”

She hopes the meetings will allow students to connect without judgment. “Not being judged is so important because then it gives confidence to other people to be able to talk about things and be a little more open.”

Support and growth

Athulya has received strong support from Athletic Director Greg Cooper, coaches, and administrators. She also plans to collaborate with Heidelberg’s Counseling Services and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to spread awareness and connect students to resources.

“Right now, there are only four of us, and the weight is divided between just the four of us,” she said. “If more people become ambassadors, we can have more meetings, dedication games, and get the word out to more people.”

Looking ahead, Athulya hopes the chapter builds a lasting sense of community. “Success for me is just building a community where we’re not just clubmates – we become friends,” she said. “And the big picture is to not lose another athlete, obviously.”

One message from her time as an ambassador still guides her:

“You are more important than your sport. Your sport is not your entire identity.”

As the chapter begins its first semester, Athulya hopes each meeting moves the campus closer to open, judgment-free conversations. “Hopefully it keeps adding on over time,” she said. “We can all come together as humans and athletes, help each other, and just be OK.”

When freshman wrestler Athulya Nair arrived at Heidelberg University this fall, she quickly noticed there wasn’t a place on campus for student-athletes to talk openly about mental health. Drawing on her experience as a Morgan’s Message ambassador in high school, she decided to bring the national nonprofit to Heidelberg.

Morgan’s Message® is a nonprofit organization that strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. The organization aims to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone.

Within two weeks of arriving at Heidelberg, Nair began meeting with Dr. Ben Pugno, Director of Student Engagement, who helped her establish the new chapter. The chapter's first meeting is on October 15th, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Creating a safe space

The group plans to hold monthly meetings open to all students. Each session will feature a short presentation and an activity designed to help students de-stress and connect.

“Our first meeting will talk about what Morgan’s Message is, give a little backstory about Morgan, introduce the officers and our advisor,” Athulya said. “Then we’ll have a carry-in. There’ll be a quick presentation, and we’ll do a fun activity.”

She also hopes to plan nature walks, Humane Society visits, and other events that encourage relaxation and community. “Sometimes we get so caught up in our sport that we forget to think about ourselves as humans,” she said. “These meetings are a reminder that you’re more important than your sport.”

Breaking the stigma

For Athulya, the goal is to change how athletes approach mental health. “People think athletes are tough and they just kind of get through things a lot easier than other people,” she said. “But that’s not true. You can be around people and still feel lonely.”

She hopes the meetings will allow students to connect without judgment. “Not being judged is so important because then it gives confidence to other people to be able to talk about things and be a little more open.”

Support and growth

Athulya has received strong support from Athletic Director Greg Cooper, coaches, and administrators. She also plans to collaborate with Heidelberg’s Counseling Services and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to spread awareness and connect students to resources.

“Right now, there are only four of us, and the weight is divided between just the four of us,” she said. “If more people become ambassadors, we can have more meetings, dedication games, and get the word out to more people.”

Looking ahead, Athulya hopes the chapter builds a lasting sense of community. “Success for me is just building a community where we’re not just clubmates – we become friends,” she said. “And the big picture is to not lose another athlete, obviously.”

One message from her time as an ambassador still guides her:

“You are more important than your sport. Your sport is not your entire identity.”

As the chapter begins its first semester, Athulya hopes each meeting moves the campus closer to open, judgment-free conversations. “Hopefully it keeps adding on over time,” she said. “We can all come together as humans and athletes, help each other, and just be OK.”
 
by Kaidan Mathias, MBA '26