Meet our first SAMIPP Speaker!

On November 13th, 2024, we were honored to welcome our first SAMIPP Speaker, Martha Fonseca. Martha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida and she has practiced psychotherapy for over 20 years. 

Having the opportunity to connect our members to trusted professionals in the field is one of our most valued initiatives at SAMIPP. These presentations allow us to provide our audiences with the knowledge and advice of mental health advocates of a higher caliber, and it instills a sense of confidence in members that the information they are receiving is verified and comes from years of experience. 

With Martha’s help, we were able to further educate our members about the manifestations of mental illness in student athletes, some mental health risk factors and changes in behavior to look out for, as well as providing them with effective tools and coping strategies in overcoming any struggles they may face. The presentation also allowed us to open lines of discussion about the strength and courage that goes into being aware of our own limits and making the decision to ask for help, whether it comes from a trusted friend or adult, or even a licensed professional like our speaker. 

This seminar marked one of our most productive conversations on the effects of mental illness on student athletes as well as the many tools available to those who are struggling both within their community and within themselves. We aim to continue to connect our members with as many resources as possible to instill a confidence in knowing that they have the intrinsic skills necessary to overcome their struggles. We want our members to know that even if it takes an extra hand to guide some of us toward accessing those skills, we are each inherently capable of overcoming any obstacle in our respective journeys.