KC Current x Blue KC | Sideline the Stigma

Sideline The Stigma graphic showing a players in front of KC city scape.

Sideline The Stigma presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Beyond The Game on Thursday, September 25. All donations are made through United Way. Including Bri Scurry national soccer hall of famer 2x gold medalist, Izzy Rodriguez United States Women's National Team and Rocky Rodriguez Costa Rica Women's National Team.

Empowering the Confidence, Resilience, and Well-Being of Young Female Athletes.

Now in its fourth year, Sideline the Stigma—a Kansas City Current and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City initiative—continues its mission to support the mental health and well-being of female high school athletes across the metro.

This year’s theme, Beyond the Game, is dedicated to building confidence, resilience, and strength—while equipping athletes with tools to manage the unique pressures they face, from navigating social media to practicing mindfulness through yoga.

Hosted at CPKC Stadium, the world’s first purpose-built stadium for a women’s professional sports team, the symposium brings together more than 100 female athletes for a powerful day of awareness, support, and empowerment.

Event Highlights

Featured Keynote: 2X Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion Briana Scurry in an exclusive interview with KC Current broadcaster Jillian Carroll
Interactive Workshops: Led by local civic leaders focused on resilience, confidence, and mental well-being
Player Panel: Insight and inspiration from KC Current stars Izzy Rodriguez and Rocky Rodríguez

Join us as we raise awareness, break stigmas, and champion the importance of mental health in our community—because thriving beyond the game matters. Attendance is free, but registration is required.

Mindful moment

KC Current and Blue KC go all access with the team, taking you inside the huddle, and behind our season's big moments to see and hear how important behavioral health is for professional athletes.

INSPIRING HOPE

The good news: There are many ways to find help if you are someone living with a behavioral health condition. There are different types of treatments available for behavioral health and substance use conditions. Most people who receive treatment for behavioral health conditions can recover fully and live a symptom-free and purposeful life.

We each have a role to play. By educating ourselves about the signs and symptoms of common behavioral health conditions, we can help a friend or loved one who may be experiencing a behavioral health challenge.

People are more likely to seek help if someone close to them suggests it. Helping someone get help early, when symptoms start, can prevent a behavioral health crisis, job loss, school problems, relationship trouble, or other negative consequences.

WHAT EACH OF US CAN DO

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WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID®?

Mental Health First Aid® (MHFA) is the initial help offered to a person developing a mental health or substance use challenge or experiencing a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.

Those who complete MHFA training and become MHFA will be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan when a person shows early or worsening signs of a mental health challenge, and apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan in crisis situations.

There are people living with mental health conditions in every community where you live, work, and play. Knowing how to reach out and provide that initial help and support to someone in need helps to create a happier, healthier, and safer community for all. That's why teachers, supervisors, first responders, caretakers, co-workers, journalists, parents, and even celebrities have joined the Mental Health First Aid® movement.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is also offering Mental Health First Aid® to Blue KC’s school district partners.

Resources

Kansas City Area

Johnson County Mental Health Crisis Line — Johnson County, Kansas