AFH Wellbeing is Athletes for Hope’s program dedicated to supporting mental health through the power of sports. We equip athletes with evidence-based tools, athlete-focused education, and a strong sense of community to help you care for your mind as much as your body.
By breaking stigma and encouraging open conversations, AFH Wellbeing is creating a culture where athletes at every level feel empowered to thrive — in sport and in life.
Brings together athletes, advocates, and partners to advance mental health through collective action. From community events and school visits to the Athlete Mental Health Alliance, this pillar activates service, connection, and advocacy to create lasting mental health change.
Where athletes share powerful, personal stories to destigmatize mental health conversations, inspire others to seek help, and equip athletes and fans with tools and tips to prioritize wellbeing.
Athletes advocates who use their voices and lived experiences to help normalize conversations around mental health in sport. By sharing stories, engaging with communities, and promoting access to resources, ambassadors help break stigma and create supportive environments where athletes at every level feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Isaac Jean-Paul is a Paralympic high jumper and long jumper, currently training for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Isaac is also the head sprint coach for San Diego State University’s Adaptive Sports Program, as well as a published author and motivational speaker.
Isaac is passionate about raising awareness about athlete mental health, particularly through the lens of disability.
Jack Beer is a professional soccer player for New York City FC II. Jack secured a national championship at Georgetown University while battling anxiety and depression. He aims to serve others through his story and mental health advocacy.
Alice Merryweather is a World Cup Alpine Ski Racer from Hingham, MA and competed primarily in the speed events, downhill and super-G. A successful 2018 Olympics campaign cemented Alice as one of America’s top rising ski stars and a worldwide talent to watch. She retired from skiing in 2024.
Alice’s story as an athlete is headlined by a collection of personal triumphs, setbacks, and an unwavering commitment to use her platform to be an authentic and inspiring role model for all female athletes. She is passionate in speaking about her personal struggles with an eating disorder, her own mental health, and the power that sports has a healthy therapy for us all. She has gained national and international media coverage in breaking the silence in what it means to be a female athlete in one of the world’s most grueling sports. She is embarking on a path of being more than an athlete and is truly a trailblazer in the Olympic sports space.
Aside from skiing, Alice enjoys strumming on her ukulele, hiking, and playing board games. She is a student at Dartmouth College completing her degree in Government.
Chris Paul was drafted by the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2022. Along with being a football student-athlete at The University of Tulsa, Chris Paul served as the American Athletic Conference’s National Representative (DI SAAC), as well as chaired The American’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. As a Conference, they pioneered a large mental health campaign, entitled Pow6rful Minds, geared toward ending the stigma(s) associated with mental health. Not only has this brought about awareness at base level, but has provided a wealth of information pertaining to resources on campus, tips, personal stories etc.
He says he will, “always speak up and share as much information as I can about mental health initiatives, because speaking up saves lives. Your mental health will always be as important as your physical health.”
Jenny Sichel is a 2016 Rio Paralympic Silver Medalist in the PR3 4+, a five-time World Rowing Championship Silver Medalist, and a seven-time member of the US Rowing Para National Team. She recently made the switch from the boat to the launch and once again represented Team USA at the Tokyo Paralympics as the coach for the PR1 W1x.
When she’s not on the water, Jenny works in disability advocacy as the Operations Director for the National Council on Independent Living and is currently getting her Master’s Degree in Public Administration. She loves downhill ski racing, acting for film, and considers herself a viewer of the gold lining.
Kendall Ellis is an American Olympic sprinter. After her distinguished collegiate career at University of Southern California, she went on to compete in the World Championships and Tokyo Olympics.During the Tokyo Olympics, she won gold for the 4x400m relay, and bronze for the mixed 4x400m. She will be competing in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
In addition to her mental health advocacy, she is passionate about mentorship and volunteering.
Manteo is an Olympic Silver Medalist, World and US Champion in track and field. He’s also a member of the US Bobsled team, where he’s aiming to make history by becoming just the 7th person to medal in both the Summer and Winter Games. He’d also become the very first African-American male to accomplish the feat! When he’s not chasing records, you can find him running around the world with his family. Manteo is an advocate for health and wellness. He spends most of his time away from training/competing as a motivational speaker and ambassador for many brands and causes with the youth and next generation.
AJ Pedro is a former collegiate athlete whose journey with grief, resilience, and self-discovery highlights the deep connection between mental health and performance. Drawing from his own experiences—especially navigating competition during personal loss—AJ advocates for honest conversations around athlete well-being and the importance of caring for both mind and body. As an Athlete Ambassador, he uses his voice to encourage athletes at all levels to prioritize their mental health, embrace vulnerability, and build strength beyond the scoreboard.
Athlete Mental Health Week 2026
Thank you for joining us for Athlete Mental Health Week. Your engagement and openness helped make this week a powerful step forward for athlete well-being.
Athletes for Hope was proud to partner with Hilinski’s Hope, the Kevin Love Fund, Morgan’s Message, The Hidden Opponent, and the Sarah Shulze Foundation to raise awareness, break stigma, and share meaningful mental health resources with athletes nationwide.
Athlete Mental Health Week is for all athletes, at every level. If you missed any sessions—or want to revisit them—we invite you to watch the panels from the week and continue the conversation.
Dr. Mena Mirhom is a Columbia-trained, board-certified sports psychiatrist who leads AFH Wellbeing’s mission to transform the way athletes approach mental health. He works directly with athletes and partners through panels, events, and workshops, and hosts the Hope Heroes Podcast to share stories and strategies that break stigma and build strength.
Rachel Gearhart
AFH Wellbeing Program Manager
Rachel Gearhart drives the day-to-day of AFH Wellbeing, where she works directly with athletes to provide resources, build community, and create programs that put mental health first. With a background in psychology and years of experience leading national mental health initiatives, Rachel is dedicated to helping athletes break stigma and thrive both in and out of sport.
Hope Heroes Podcast
Hope Heroes is where sports and mental health collide. Hosted by Dr. Mena Mirhom, psychiatrist and Chief Wellbeing Officer at Athletes for Hope, this podcast dives into the real struggles and triumphs athletes face on and off the field. Through raw, insightful conversations with athletes and experts, Hope Heroes explores resilience, performance, and the power of mental wellness. Whether you’re an athlete or just passionate about growth, these stories will move you.
by Mena Mirhom, MD, FAPA, AFH Chief Wellbeing Officer The Winter Olympics showcase extraordinary physical precision. What they also reveal, increasingly, is something just as powerful: the psychological cost of…
We encourage you to explore our core initiatives to learn how you can get involved in our work. Have another question? Please reach out!
AFH Wellbeing is a mental health and wellness resource, not a crisis or suicide response website. If you are in crisis, or experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or the LGBT National Hotline at (888) 843-4564. The service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
