About seven months ago, Emma Ickes applied to become an ambassador for Morgan’s Message, an organization dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health among student-athletes. After being accepted, Emma reached out to her coach, Kayla, to organize a dedication game in honor of Morgan’s Message.
With support from her liaison at Morgan’s Message, Emma secured donations of wristbands, pins, and stickers to distribute at the event. She also collaborated with a family friend, Wayne Moda, who generously donated a custom Morgan’s Message banner to Wakefield Memorial High School. In addition to these donations, Emma purchased ribbons for the entire volleyball team, along with posters and brochures to help raise awareness about mental health.
On the day of the game, the volleyball team posed with the Morgan’s Message banner to spread the word on social media. The gym was decorated with streamers and balloons, and an information table was set up where attendees could make donations. Emma also donated $50 from the team’s concession sales to Morgan’s Message. Rather than focusing on large donations, Emma encouraged attendees to give what they could.
Before the game, Emma gave a heartfelt speech to recognize the importance of the event:
“As September is Suicide Awareness Month, the Wakefield Volleyball Program is dedicating today’s game to the life and legacy of Morgan Rodgers, a former Duke University Lacrosse student-athlete who tragically passed away in July 2019 after battling mental health struggles. Although her life was cut way too short, her legacy of unconditional love remains.
Morgan’s Message was created by her family and teammates with the mission to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health, normalize conversations about it, and ensure that mental health is treated equally to physical health for student-athletes. We elevate her story to provide a platform where others feel safe to share their own, be a catalyst for change in our mental healthcare system, and foster a community where tomorrow always exists.
Morgan’s Message is clear: As athletes, there’s no shame in seeking physical healthcare, and the same should be true for mental healthcare. Together, we can close the gap and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. For more information about Morgan’s life and legacy, visit MorgansMessage.org. If you’d like to make a donation, please visit our information table. Now, please join me in a moment of silence in memory of Morgan Rodgers.”
The game served as an incredible opportunity to raise awareness about mental health, and Emma plans to continue spreading this message. She hopes to start a club called Service Over Self at Wakefield, where student-athletes from all sports—both male and female—can learn how to get involved in causes like Morgan’s Message and The Happiness Project. Her vision is to organize more dedication games across different sports teams and get further involved in mental health initiatives.
The Happiness Project’s mission to elevate happiness while supporting those impacted by mental health issues is another cause close to Emma’s heart. Their motto, “It’s okay to not be okay,” aligns with her goals, and a portion of their apparel sales goes to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which Emma hopes to support even more in the future.
Emma is committed to promoting mental health awareness among current and future student-athletes. She believes mental health is often an overlooked aspect of athletics, but one that is vitally important. She welcomes any suggestions or feedback to help her continue to spread this message and make an impact.
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