The Commanders will try to reach out to their fan base on Sunday before their Week 13 game against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium.
That's why the Commanders are inviting the fan base who will attend Sunday's game to what they have announced is their first pre-game mental health awareness panel, which is open to anyone who purchases a ticket to the game.
to provide you with information to help you access the free mental health panel discussion.
Since the game is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m., the gates for the game will open at 11:00 a.m. and the panel discussion will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. The panel discussion is open to fans with a game ticket and will take place in the Branson Lounge & Gallery, located on the club level between sections 306-308.
A moderated six-person panel will discuss mental health awareness and give attendees the opportunity to ask their questions before the panel.
The American Psychiatric Association Foundation, based in Washington, DC, will host the event hosted by the Commanders.
On its website, APAF states that its mission is to promote the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. Their vision is to create a spiritually healthy nation where people live, learn, work, worship and play.
The six-member board includes: Kelly Mahoney (AFSP National Area Chapter), Marcus Smith (former Philadelphia Eagle, Seattle Seahawk, Washington Redskin), Rawle Andrews Jr (Executive Director of the APA Foundation), Eric Kussin (Founder, #SAMEHERE), Dr. Darron Garner, Ph,D (Clinical, Social) and Brook Choulet, MD (Concierge Sports & Performance).
Smith was a first-round draft pick of the Eagles in the 2014 NFL draft. But after three seasons, the Eagles released him. He then played for the Seahawks, but due to the pressure and expectations placed on him, he began to dislike and eventually hate football. In fact, he was so emotionally lost that he seriously considered suicide and actually attempted it.
He praises former Seattle head coach Pete Carroll for giving Smith the help he needed to regain his mental health. He briefly ended his career playing for the Redskins, lives in Maryland and is an advocate for mental health.
where Smith tells his story of fame, expectations, depression, suicide attempt and recovery.
In addition to Smith, Commander's Wire had the opportunity to speak with another member of the panel, Dr. Brook Choulet, to speak.
“With this panel discussion we want to encourage participants to raise awareness about mental health,” said Choulet. “Our desire is to help communities normalize the discussion about mental health. I hope to encourage communities to invest in their own mental health and that of their families and friends.”
Choulet is the founder and CEO of Choulet Performance Psychiatry, president of the Maricopa County Medical Society Foundation and president of the American Board of Sports Performance Psychiatry, of which she is a seven founding member.
Choulet also worked as a consulting team psychiatrist for the Phoenix Suns (NBA) and the Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) for two seasons.