PAC partners with mental empowerment speaker Ivy Watts

GREENVILLE, Pa. (pacathletics.org)--The Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) has partnered with mental health empowerment speaker Ivy Watts to help support its student-athletes by providing resources, knowledge and tools related to mental health, well-being and self-care.

The league will host virtual events with Watts on Monday, November 16 and Thursday, Nov. 19. Each session will be limited to 500 participants. 
Monday, Nov. 16 (for student-athletes from Bethany, Geneva, Saint Vincent, Thiel and Westminster)
Registration Link
Thursday, Nov. 19 (for student-athletes from Chatham, Franciscan, Grove City, W&J and Waynesburg)
Registration Link

Watts, a former NCAA Division II student-athlete, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of New Haven and earned recognition as a top 30 finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award in 2017. But on the inside, the sprinter struggled daily with anxiety, self-worth and depression.

After seeking help, Watts completed a master's degree in public health from Boston University in 2017 and embarked on a journey to promote mental wellness and work towards reducing stigma around mental illness by sharing her story through public speaking and her blog, Beautifully Simply You. Watts, who is now mental health first aid certified, empowers others to speak their truths, know that they are not alone, learn the beauty of self-love and find strength to keep fighting for their tomorrows.

"These are incredibly difficult times for student-athletes right now. So much loss has occurred in a short time and COVID, racial injustice, and other personal issues have caused a lot of anxiety and fear in our lives. Athletes may be struggling with their mental health for the first time ever in their life, or struggling even more than before" said Watts. "I am so grateful that PAC is creating a space to create meaningful discussions for their student-athletes to practice mental wellness and self-care for themselves and for others during these tough times. I am excited to share my experiences as a student-athlete who appeared like I had it all together, to help PAC student-athletes know that they are not alone in their struggle, and that it is okay to not be okay. I am incredibly honored to be able to play a role in empowering PAC student-athletes to find the power of self-compassion, self-love and mental wellness during these tough times, and beyond."

Watts' powerful message promoting self-love and practicing mental wellness has reached over 10,000 students and over 5,000 administrators and parents.

"It is no secret that this year has been difficult, and we want to make sure our student-athletes are mentally and physically healthy. Having Ivy as a speaker to remind the student-athletes that they are not alone, and it is okay to talk about the struggles they are facing is a great way to continue the mental health conversations," said PAC Assistant Commissioner for Championships and Special Events Tayler Kirtley. "She has an energy about her that makes you want to listen to and learn from what she is saying. She was in their shoes not long ago and can help relate to the difficulties of being a student-athlete and the pressure that comes with it."