High schoolers benefit from mental health summit at Las Vegas Aces headquarters

NAMI’s Sariah Nokes speaks to a groups of high school students about healthy relationships and boundaries during the Las Vegas Aces’ annual mental health summit as the organization’s headquarters in Henderson, Nevada. PHOTO: W.G. Ramirez

By W.G. RAMIREZ

HENDERSON, Nev. -- The message at the Las Vegas Aces headquarters on Friday, May 16, was "It's Okay To Not Be Okay."

The WNBA organization hosted approximately 100 high school students, who participated in a three-hour mental health summit in conjunction with mental health professionals from UNLV and the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI).

The students also heard from former San Antonio Stars guard Edna Campbell, a breast cancer survivor and 1998 USA World Cup gold medalist.

"I think that mental health has gained traction, and I'm going to say exposure popularity, so to speak, just due to a lot of athletes sharing their stories and challenges with mental health," Campbell said. "The beautiful thing is you have corporations, entities like the WNBA, that support it and provide a safe space for people to be able to feel comfortable, feel supported in their journeys in managing their mental health."

The students, who were selected from Title 1 schools Western, Canyon Springs and Eldorado, participated in four group discussions that were centered around stress and anxiety management, social media and mental health, healthy relationships and boundaries and coping strategies and resources.

Mariana Trabado, a junior at Canyon Springs High School, said as she thinks ahead to her senior year, anxiety and worry and struggle overwhelm her mind. She hasn't even embarked on her summer vacation or enjoyed her senior prom, but she's already started wondering how her life will be after high school, and is thinking about jobs and how she can provide for her family, not to mention how she can be there for people who need her.

"And sometimes I forget to take time for myself," Trabado said. "Being (that) today (was) for mental health, and learning on taking time for yourself and how to just be your number one supporter, it's a great thing that I learned today. It was really helpful for me."

NAMI’s Sariah Nokes was on hand to speak to the teens, sharing her experiences with borderline personality disorder and PTSD.

Nokes said she's been where many teens are right now, thinking she wouldn't make it past the age of 18, letting suicidal thoughts get the best of her.

"And through multiple suicide attempts and just wondering what life is going to be, I realized that talking about mental health is what kept me going," Nokes said. "And NAMI gave me that space. It gives space for you to talk about your experiences and your diagnoses. And it was the first time that I was like, 'Wow, I actually see life worth living,' because I know that I can help other people and share my experiences."

Nokes said she originally started working with youths and going into high schools and sharing her experience with them to let them know they weren't alone. She wanted them to know it was normal to feel scared, but there were support groups and people who would be willing to talk about, and create a safe space.

The WNBA has been outspoken about taking steps toward improving mental health awareness.

It was the second straight year the Aces provided a mental health summit, but the first for students. Last year the organization held one for high-school students.

"It was just one of the organization's pillars, it's one of our community pillars, mental health and wellness," said Sydney Caldwell, community engagement and business operations manager for the Aces. "So it's a company pillar that we really pride ourselves in. Breaking the stigma and showing people that it matters, and using our platform and our players, our front office workers and organization, to get that message out there and know that it's okay to not be okay. And, equipping people with the resources locally and nationally that people can access and use when they are struggling in whatever way that looks like, to get the help that they need."

Campbell, who played in the WNBA from 1999 through 2005, said she is thankful to see athletes with the support they need, and the league becoming more involved when it comes to mental health.

"Because it's something that I think everyone has dealt with, managing your mental health, managing your ability to cope with life challenges," Campbell said. "And being supported with that is huge. And people don't feel like they're isolated, they don't feel like they're alone. So, I really am thankful to be a part of that. Be here, share my story of major health challenges that presented challenges in coping, building my mental muscle and resilience and being able to face adversity.

"The important thing for me today is to be able to emphasize the power of that so that young people don't feel like there's a stigma associated, there's nothing wrong with them, they're human beings, they're moving through life, and it's all a part of it. It's actually normal to have these challenges.”

After the summit, the teens were treated to a catered lunch from former Cimarron-Memorial and NFL star Brandon Marshall’s Hattie Marie’s Texas BBQ restaurant, on what was National BBQ Day.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.