The AFH Center for Athlete Wellbeing serves as a trusted destination for athlete mental health resources and training to help athletes at every level thrive in sport and life.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health will lead research, curriculum design, and data analysis.
BETHESDA, MD – October 10, 2025 – Athletes for Hope (AFH), a nationally recognized nonprofit that educates and empowers athletes to create meaningful change in their communities, today announced the launch of the AFH Center for Athlete Wellbeing, a resource hub dedicated to advancing athlete mental health. The initiative officially debuts on World Mental Health Day, underscoring AFH’s commitment to ensuring athletes care for their minds as much as their bodies and to reduce the stigma of mental health in and out of sports.
The AFH Center for Athlete Wellbeing is part of AFH Wellbeing, AFH’s athlete-led mental health program that empowers athletes to care for their whole selves – mind, body, and spirit – while also using their platforms to break stigma and advocate for mental health in their communities. AFH Wellbeing offers workshops, peer connections, advocacy campaigns, and access to mental health resources.
“Mental health is just as critical as physical health when it comes to our overall wellbeing, particularly for athletes who frequently compete in high stress environments,” said Jason Belinkie, CEO of Athletes For Hope. “By launching The AFH Center for Athlete Wellbeing, we are providing athletes, coaches, and parents with trusted resources that help normalize mental health conversations and break down the stigma around seeking support.”
The need for dedicated mental health resources for athletes is undeniable. Research shows that 35% of elite athletes experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, while 22% struggle with eating disorders or substance use. Among student-athletes, the NCAA reports that nearly 30% face mental health issues during their college careers. These numbers underscore the pressures athletes face at every level of competition.
The AFH Center for Athlete Wellbeing will serve as a trusted hub for athletes, coaches, and parents by offering evidence-based resources and practical training. From tools and guides designed to address the unique pressures athletes face, to education that equips them with strategies for resilience, the Center ensures that mental health support is both accessible and applicable.
“Every athlete deserves the opportunity to thrive in both sport and life, and the AFH Center for Athlete Wellbeing will give them the tools to do just that,” said Mena Mirhom, MD, FAPA, Chief Wellbeing Officer of Athletes for Hope. “Because of their visibility, athletes are uniquely positioned to influence broader conversations around mental health, and by sharing their own experiences, they can inspire others to prioritize their mental wellbeing.”
AFH and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Researchers Join Forces to Drive Innovation in Athlete Mental Health
Athletes for Hope (AFH) has teamed up with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers to advance research, education, and training focused on athlete mental health and wellbeing. This collaboration unites the Bloomberg School’s world-class research expertise with AFH’s powerful athlete network to bridge science and sport.
“The exciting opportunity to partner with Athletes for Hope on research and training that can impact mental health and well-being for athletes -– both professional and non-professional – of all ages is of paramount importance,” said John Groopman, PhD, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and collaboration co-lead. “By engaging our faculty and students in this endeavor, we can inspire a next generation of athletes focused on this major public health problem.”
Together, the organizations will conduct joint research on athlete mental health, co-develop digital and in-person training modules. Key projects include research on biomarkers in mental health, with AFH athletes participating in BSPH-led studies exploring biological indicators of brain health to inform awareness and prevention strategies. The collaboration will also launch Athlete Leadership and Mental Health Training, offering workshops and digital modules that build mental wellness and leadership skills. In addition, Youth “Living Labs” will pilot new models of mental health education in U.S. sports settings, emphasizing gender equity, cultural relevance, and community connection.
Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health will lead research, curriculum design, and data analysis, while AFH will provide athlete access, storytelling support, and amplify the collaboration’s work through its platforms. The collaboration will be co-led by John Groopman, PhD, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Mena Mirhom, MD, FAPA, of AFH.
About Athletes for Hope
Founded in 2006 by Muhammad Ali, Mia Hamm, Andre Agassi, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Alonzo Mourning, Jeff Gordon, Warrick Dunn and 5 other legendary athletes. AFH educates, encourages, and empowers professional, Olympic, Paralympic, college and high school athletes to find their philanthropic passions and volunteer with community organizations and schools across the U.S. AFH is now led by the next generation of athlete leaders, including Stephen Curry, Katie Ledecky, Nathan Chen, and Elena Delle Donne, and has become the largest athlete-led sports non-profit in the U.S. with thousands of athlete members. Our core programs focus on underserved youth physical activity, leadership, mental health, positively impacting more than 230,000 underserved students every month.
About the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health works to keep millions safe from illness and injury by pioneering new research, deploying knowledge in the field, and educating tomorrow’s public health leaders. The Bloomberg School was founded as the first independent school of public health in 1916 as part of Johns Hopkins University–the nation’s first research university. Today, Bloomberg School researchers work in settings from labs to communities to prevent disease, improve population health, and shape health policy in the U.S. and countries around the world.