Partnership unites two leading athlete mental health nonprofits to expand reach, deepen resources, and amplify athlete voices during the seventh annual week of action
NEW YORK — Hilinski’s Hope Foundation (H3H) and Athletes for Hope (AFH) today announced that AFH will serve as the official Co-Presenting Partner of Student-Athlete Mental Health Week (SAMHW), H3H’s flagship annual initiative. The partnership brings together two of the most recognized athlete mental health nonprofits to deliver a unified, athlete-led mental health movement to schools across the country.
Now in its seventh year, Student-Athlete Mental Health Week (October 3-10, 2026) will engage 300+ colleges, universities, and high schools in a week of stigma-breaking, resource sharing, and collective action dedicated to the mental wellbeing of student-athletes at every level.
“Hilinski’s Hope has spent seven years building a genuinely powerful movement,” said Jason Belinkie, CEO of Athletes for Hope. “Student-Athlete Mental Health Week is one of the most effective and inspiring athlete mental health activations in the United States, and partnering with Kym, Mark, and the entire H3H team allows us to help expand its reach and deepen its impact. Our commitment is simple: every student-athlete should know they have a community that shows up for them.”
AFH’s co-presenting partnership brings expanded programming, athlete storytelling infrastructure, and youth-focused mental health resources to SAMHW’s existing network. Through the Center for Wellbeing and AFH’s national athlete ambassador community, the partnership is designed to reach student-athletes both on campuses and beyond, including at the high school level, where early intervention matters most.
“Athletes for Hope shares our belief that mental health belongs in the athletic culture, not outside of it,” said Kym Hilinski, co-founder of Hilinski’s Hope. “Bringing AFH in as co-presenting partner means more athletes get seen, more schools get supported, and Tyler’s legacy reaches even further. That means everything to our family.”
Participating schools are encouraged to make the week their own. H3H provides each campus with a SAMHW toolkit including a mental health PSA, activation materials, and the signature “Three In The Third” tradition — holding three fingers to the sky during the first play of the third quarter — in honor of those lost to mental illness.
AFH will contribute athlete-led mental health resources developed by athletes, for athletes – all available through AFH’s Center for Wellbeing, a trusted hub for mental health resources built for athletes and powered by experts. These resources meet student-athletes where they are, addressing the unique mental health challenges that come with competing at the collegiate level. AFH will also host AFH University campus activations and lead a panel discussion on the importance of wellbeing in sport during Student-Athlete Mental Health Week.
Student-Athlete Mental Health Week coincides with Mental Illness Awareness Week and culminates on World Mental Health Day on October 10.
To learn more about SAMHW, find a participating school, or access mental health resources, visit www.hilinskishope.org/samhw and www.athletesforhope.org/.
About Athletes for Hope
AFH is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that aims to educate, encourage, and assist athletes in their efforts to engage with community and charitable causes, to increase public awareness of and support for those efforts, and to inspire others to do the same. AFH empowers professional, Olympic, Paralympic, collegiate and high school athletes to channel their energy for a common goal: to make the world a better place. Learn more at www.athletesforhope.org.
About Hilinski’s Hope
Hilinski’s Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps colleges, universities, and high schools save lives, eliminate stigma, and scale mental wellness programs for student-athletes. Founded by Mark and Kym Hilinski in honor of their son Tyler, H3H shares Tyler’s story, connects students with mental health resources, and assists institutions in institutionalizing best practices. H3H envisions a world where mental health is supported in parity with physical health. Learn more at www.hilinskishope.org.