At the heart of the Philadelphia Union Foundation is a commitment to making positive change in our community, particularly when it comes to mental health. We have made the commitment to annually organize, during May Mental Health Awareness Month, a forum.  This forum brings together individuals and organizations to discuss and share ideas about mental health. Through our HeadFirst initiative, we aim to focus attention on the importance of mental fitness and promote mental health awareness in our community. Join us in making a positive difference in people's lives! 

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Join us for an empowering day dedicated to mental fitness within the athletic community, specifically curated for soccer coaches, athletic directors, trainers, club administrators, and parents. Our goal is not only to raise awareness but also to destigmatize mental health challenges in sports, ensuring a robust support system for our athletes.

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WHY ATTEND?

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Networking Opportunities: Doors open at 8:00 am for a morning of networking and a special meet and greet with Ale Bedoya, a distinguished Union player.

 

Expert Insights: Hear from leading voices in mental health, including our forum moderator , John Stanley, CEO of The Moderati and board member at the Quell Foundation, renowned for his efforts in normalizing mental health discussions.

 

Dynamic Panels: Engage with a diverse lineup of panels covering pressing topics:

• The clinical perspective on mental health challenges and solutions.

• Insights from players, parents, and coaches on navigating mental health in sports.

• An exploration of mental fitness at the college and professional levels, featuring voices from college coaches, and mental health professionals.

 

FEATURED SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS:  

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Keynote Speaker: Julie Kliegman, celebrated author of Mind Game- Julie in the news

    In Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes, Julie Kliegman offers insight into how elite athletes navigate mental performance and mental illness—and what non-athletes can learn from them. She explores the recent mental health movement in sports, the history and practice of sport psychology, the stereotypes and stigmas that lead athletes to keep their troubles to themselves, and the ways in which injury and retirement can throw wrenches in their mental states. Kliegman also examines the impacts of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use, and more, with a keen eye toward moving forward with acceptance, progress, and problem-solving. Featuring insightful interviews with Olympians Chloe Kim, McKayla Maroney, and Adam Rippon, NBA players Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan, former U.S. Open tennis champ Bianca Andreescu, and many other athletes and experts, Mind Game breaks down the ongoing, heartening movement of athletes across sports coming forward to get the care they need and deserve—and to help others feel safe opening up about their struggles, as well.

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Panelists: Hear from a diverse group of professionals, parents, coaches, and players, including youth and college coaches , Emily Perrin, CEO and founder of Perrin Wellness and Performance, and Villanova Head Women's Soccer Coach, Samar Azem and many more distinguished voices. Alongside them will be prominent figures such as  Amber Meyerl, Executive Director at The Quell Foundation,  Jamie Pawelski, UPENN Professor of Practice, Director of Education, Master of Applied Positive Psychology Program, Suzie Pawelski, co-wroter "Happy Together," the first book to apply positive psychology to relationships and  Dr. Scott, teacher of ourHeadFirst 'A Happier U'  Glassman from PCOM.

 

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

Attendance Goal: 100 participants SOLD OUT to 125 attendees; join the waiting list.  REGISTER HERE

Promotion: Save the date! Early RSVPs begin April 1

 

VENUE & AMENITIES: 

Subaru Park: Our event will be in the Primepoint Club in the stadium. Entrance is near the ticketing windows. (blue arrow below) A professional setting that promises a conducive environment for our discussions.

Catering: Enjoy a comprehensive breakfast and networking session.

Parking: free parking in lot D (yellow arrow below) just outside the entrance to the Primepoint club (blue arrow)

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GET INVOLVED:

• Every Story Matters Pledge Campaign : Join the Union team and make your pledge

• Spread the Word: Help us de-stigmatize mental health in sports by sharing this event within your networks.

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We look forward to welcoming you to a day of insightful discussions, networking, and learning. Together, we can champion mental fitness in our communities and beyond.

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Continue to check back with more details on the day! 

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