Be Nice.
Mental Health Education
Caring for the WHOLE athlete
Combining Mental Health and Sport
We have partnered with the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan to bring their be nice. education to all of WMCT/Premier programming. As an organization, we understand the importance of caring for our athletes’ physical AND mental health.
Our staff and volunteers are trained by the be nice. organization to understand how to best care for our athletes. By incorporating be nice., we are helping others to develop life-long and life-saving strategies.
About be Nice
be nice. is an initiative through The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan that focuses on mental health education to ensure:
- Individuals of all ages recognize the signs of mental illness and have the confidence to take action when helping themselves or others
- The shame, stigma, and secrecy surrounding mental illnesses and treatment decrease so that more people seek help
- Communities support the mental, emotional, and behavioral health of all individuals
Individuals know the warning signs of suicide and are equipped with the tools to act when someone is in crisis
The be nice. action plan teaches individuals to:
- NOTICE: Notice changes in someone’s thoughts, actions, or feelings
- INVITE: Invite a conversation if changes are noticed
- CHALLENGE: Challenge stigma and access resources
- EMPOWER: Empower people with knowledge and protective factors for resilience
The Impact - Testimonials From OUr Students
“be nice. has helped me to understand my emotions and how to communicate how I’m feeling.”
“As a quiet and shy person, the be nice. portion of tennis has allowed me to make connections with people I probably would have never talked to.”
“I remember talking about the passing of my mom in the very first be nice. That’s when I knew this would be a safe space to come back to every week.”
“It is so comforting to know that I am sending my child to a place that considers the importance of athletes’ mental health.”
“be nice. is fun!!”
