The Irsays launched Kicking The Stigma in 2020 to raise awareness about mental health and end the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. Since then, Kicking The Stigma has committed more than $31 million to expand treatment and research and raise awareness in Indiana and beyond.
For more info, visit KickingTheStigma.org.
BEGINNING OCT. 10 – "LET'S TALK ABOUT IT" SOCIAL CAMPAIGN
To mark World Mental Health Day, Kicking The Stigma is launching a national social media campaign using the slogan "Let's Talk About It." This campaign is aimed at normalizing conversations about mental health and encouraging individuals to treat mental health the same as any other health condition.
FRI., OCT. 11 – "MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS NIGHT" @ COVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Kicking The Stigma will go on the road to team up with Covington (Ind.) High School during Friday night football to support local efforts to highlight mental health in the school community. Kicking The Stigma will be onsite raising awareness with activities, giveaways and more.
The school also will receive the new Mental Health Awareness Starter Pack, which includes items from Kicking The Stigma to help raise awareness about mental health.
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| WHERE: | Covington High School Stadium, 1710 Ninth St., Convington, IN |
TUES., OCT. 15 – MENTAL HEALTH MEET-UP @ PIKE HIGH SCHOOL
For next week's Colts Community Tuesday, the Colts will partner with Pike High School in Indianapolis and its chapter of Bring Change To Mind (BC2M), to host a mental health meet-up with Colts players and cheerleaders.
The players and cheerleaders will speak to students about the power of positivity and work with them on activities such as writing positive postcards to someone in their life or creating advocacy bracelets with a word or phrase that means something to them.
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WHERE: | Pike High School, 5401 W. 71st St. |
Bring Change to Mind is a national mental health organization with the same goal as Kicking The Stigma – ending the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. BC2M has chapters in schools across the country and creates multimedia campaigns, curates storytelling movements and develop youth programs to encourage conversations around mental health.
SUN., OCT. 20 – "KICKING THE STIGMA GAME" vs. MIAMI DOLPHINS
The Colts are dedicating their Oct. 20 home game vs. Miami to highlighting Kicking The Stigma. During the game, the team will recognize Hoosier mental health professionals for their work, while fans will learn about Kicking The Stigma, other local resources and ways they can help or contribute to the effort:
- Mental Health Professionals Breakfast. The team will host mental health professionals for an exclusive stadium breakfast and then welcome them to the field pre-game to hold the American flag during the National Anthem.
- Fan Giveaway. The first 20,000 fans through the gate at Lucas Oil Stadium will receive the new Kicking The Stigma friendship bracelet.
- Concourse Activation. Kicking The Stigma will have a presence on the Street and Terrace levels of the stadium with opportunities to learn more and take photos at the Kicking The Stigma Conversation Starter (see below).
- Coaches and players will wear Kicking The Stigma pregame warmup shirts, featuring the phrase "Mental Health is Health."
- Proceeds from the Colts 50/50 raffle will go toward Kicking The Stigma Action Grants, which support nonprofits and organizations, primarily in Indiana, to expand mental health treatment and research.
OCT. – NOV. – KICKING THE STIGMA CONVERSATION STARTERS
Kicking The Stigma will debut two structures in downtown Indianapolis to serve as places to start conversations about mental health and end the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Indy residents are encouraged to show their support at these locations by sharing their favorite photos on social media using #KickingTheStigma.
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KICKING THE STIGMA GEAR @ COLTS PRO SHOP
As a part of the Kicking The Stigma Collection, fans can purchase the new "Mental Health is Health" T-shirt at the Colts Pro Shop, with partial proceeds benefiting the Kicking The Stigma Action Grants. Colts players will don the shirts during warm-ups at the Kicking The Stigma game on Oct. 20 against Miami.
Other gear – including hoodies, tumblers, lapel pins and more – also are available at shop.Colts.com or at the Colts Pro Shop.
The Colts Pro Shop at Lucas Oil Stadium is open Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.– 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.; and on Sunday gamedays. Fans also may purchase gear at Shop.Colts.com.
