9/16/2019
One Gamecock family has turned a tragedy into an opportunity to help raise awareness for mental health for student athletes.
Ryan Hilinski is the freshman starting quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks. His two brothers, Kelly and Tyler also played college football.
January 2018, Ryan’s brother Tyler took his own life. No one saw it coming.
The Hilinski family started an organization dedicated to providing resources for mental wellness for student athletes. It’s called Hilinski’s Hope.
Over the past weekend, the Hilinski family overheard people talking about an idea to bring more awareness to mental health and athletes when South Carolina takes on Alabama this Saturday.
“The idea was in order to sort of draw attention to mental health in sports, the entire stadium would stand and hold three fingers in the air at the beginning of the Third Quarter in solidarity that we’re here for each other. That we recognize this problem isn’t going away,” said Mark Hilinski.
September is Suicide Prevention Month
The National Suicide Prevention Line is 1-800-273-8255
WLTX19 Article
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