Sophie’s Squad fights to end the stigma surrounding mental health

On Saturday, the University of Minnesota Duluth men’s and women’s hockey and basketball teams came together to support Sophie’s Squad, an organization that raises awareness, provides education for, and ends the stigma surrounding mental health in athletes.

“Like, we’re not perfect. None of us are perfect, and we all go through our own struggles. So, getting involved and showing that we’re athletes, we’re also human beings, is really important for people to see,” said Hanna Baskin, senior forward for the UMD women’s hockey team.

Sophies squad was created in honor of Sophie Weiland, who lost her fight to mental health in 2021.

“Your mental health is just as important, if not more important, than your physical health. And I think that’s something that gets looked over sometimes,” said Baskin.

For the fourth year in a row, UMD women’s hockey partnered with Sophie’s Squad to use their platforms as Division I athletes to continue the conversation at a higher level.

“It’s so rewarding. You’ve got to pinch us. We didn’t even know we were going to get this big. And to be at that level and to have people actually listening and wear a voice, it’s huge. Very important,” said Sophie’s Squad president Terry Hughes.

“When things are important, it gets recognition, and that’s what we want, and that’s what we want to continue to do. So, it’s just amazing that we’re seeing it, you know, all across the spectrum, and I’m sure that it’s just going to continue to keep growing,” said UMD women’s hockey head coach Laura Schuler.

The conversation started by Sophie’s Squad has found its way to the hearts and minds of many, and with rising awareness, has saved lives.

“Your physical health. If it hurts, you get it fixed in our mental health. We just kind of move on with it, right? So, we’re getting the word out there that it’s okay not to be okay. We need to talk, remove the stigma that’s associated with it. So, it’s important for these people to understand that it’s okay to talk to people when they’re struggling,” said Hughes.

To donate to help raise awareness for mental health with Sophie’s Squad, click here.