KC Current x Blue KC | Sideline the Stigma

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2024 Sideline the Stigma: EmpowerHER

This year’s Sideline the Stigma theme is titled EmpowerHER. This theme is dedicated to empowering the resilience, strength, and well-being among young women. During this event, community leaders will facilitate interactive workshops that will provide education and inspiration, focusing on five main topics specific to female athletes: movement, wellness, confidence, performance, and presence. Join us as we raise awareness, empower female athletes, and champion the importance of mental health in our community!

Bia Zaneratto and Desi Scott cutout like paper figurines, and placed on a green scocer field, with a teal background and illustrated stars.

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.

Teal Talks

Teal Talks are bi-annual activations hosted by KC Current presented by Blue cross Blue Shield of Kansas City. These activations highlight the experience of a female athletes regarding competition, resilience, and mental health.

Teal Talk I

This activation hosted four Kansas City public schools in small-sided soccer games on the pitch at CPKC stadium followed by a panel of athletes and mental health specialists discussing their stories and stressing the importance of mental health in athletics.

Teal Talks II

This activation hosted students from Synergy Services in meditation and yoga exercises located at the Kansas City Current training facility. The objective was to provide a safe, relaxing space for students to take a breath and engage in mindfulness.