Washington Athletes Promoted Mental Health Awareness

State high school football teams participated in an initiative to reduce mental health stigma during games.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Football

Expressive illustration of a high school football huddle in forest green and gray, representing mental health awareness in sports. — Washington high school football teams partnered with the Hilinski's Hope Foundation this week to promote mental health awareness during game play. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Washington high school football teams have joined Student-Athlete Mental Health Week to encourage open conversations about mental wellbeing. The initiative marks the first time Washington schools have participated in the program through a partnership with the Hilinski's Hope Foundation.

Why it matters

The program aims to combat the stigma surrounding mental health issues among youth athletes by utilizing resources from a foundation established following a tragedy. By integrating awareness efforts into high school sports, organizers hope to normalize discussions about emotional support.

Approximately 20,000 helmet stickers featuring a green heart ribbon and the number 3 were distributed to teams. These materials support an initiative that has previously expanded to 16 states.

The players

Hilinski's Hope Foundation

This nonprofit organization works to educate and support student-athletes while advocating for mental health resources.

Washington State Football Coaches Association

This professional organization supports high school football coaches throughout the state of Washington.

Abe Lucas

He is a professional football player for the Seattle Seahawks who appeared in educational materials for the campaign.

Tyler Hilinski

He was a former Washington State University quarterback whose life and passing inspired the national mental health initiative.

The details

Coaches provided players with a 36-second educational video featuring Seahawks tackle Abe Lucas, while public address announcers read prepared mental health scripts during the third quarter of games. The initiative honors former Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski, who died by suicide in 2018.

Tyler Hilinski died by suicide in 2018.
Coaches streamed games and utilized toolkits on October 8, 2026.
The official article was published on October 9, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This awareness campaign follows the precedents set by the Hilinski's Hope Foundation's ongoing efforts to integrate mental health resources into athletic programs across the country. It marks a shift for Washington high schools as they adopt these national advocacy protocols to foster support systems for student-athletes.

Fans and participants saw the number 3 on helmets throughout recent games to signify the campaign's focus. Schools like Graham-Kapowsin and Archbishop Murphy incorporated these visual cues while maintaining their regular season schedules.

The takeaway

The visibility of mental health resources in high school athletics is growing as more states adopt these structured awareness programs. Coaches and students are encouraged to utilize provided video and audio materials to keep these conversations active beyond the designated awareness week.