La Jolla High School student Allison Hawthorne wants to help ensure that the tragedy of Morgan Rodgers does not befall local student-athletes.
Rodgers was a former Duke University lacrosse player who committed suicide July 11, 2019, at age 22.
Allison, 15, formed a local chapter of the Morgan’s Message club, which encourages student-athletes to prioritize their mental health as much as their physical health. It looks to provide mental health resources and a welcoming community for the athletes.
“There is added pressure on student-athletes; they have more that they need to juggle … [such as] sports, school, friendships, practices, the need to perform well, homework, etc., that can be very stressful and can affect your mental health a lot,” said Allison, who also is a lacrosse player. “There are so many stories of athletes that are struggling, so I thought this club would provide a place for them to be around others that … know what they are going through.”
Mackenzie Kerns, education program liaison for the Virginia-based Morgan’s Message, agrees.
“Athletics come with a different level of struggle and pressure,” she said. “It’s hard as an athlete. They are expected to be strong physically and mentally, so when they struggle, they are unsure what to do. They can be hesitant to ask for help because they don’t want to seem weak.”
Through school-based clubs like La Jolla High’s Morgan’s Message club, “we build a community, share stories and resources,” Kerns said. “Having relationships with people in similar situations … empowers students to talk about mental health and spread the word and provide a platform for students to advocate for mental health.”
Games dedicated to the club in various sports offered at La Jolla High School help raise awareness about the group, and it holds regular meetings during the school day to provide activities that are good for one’s mental health, such as breathing and drawing exercises and other resources “as a way to re-collect before needing to go back to class,” Allison said.
All current and former athletes, whether in in-school or out-of-school sports, are welcome.
Allison Hawthorne is a La Jolla High School student-athlete and local chapter president of Morgan’s Message.
(Provided by Allison Hawthorne)
“My goal for the club is to normalize mental health struggles, starting with the campus community,” Allison said. “We want [students] to be more confident in coming forward and acknowledging they have mental health struggles and feel more OK with themselves.”
At the onset, many club members were female athletes and those who have athletics outside of school, such as dance and gymnastics. But Allison said a big goal is to reach male athletes as well.
“We want to show that it is OK for guys to have mental health struggles,” she said. “Our message is that you are a person, not just an athlete. We also want everyone to realize they are not alone if they struggle [with mental health].”
On Oct. 16, the La Jolla High girls field hockey team held a game dedicated to Morgan’s Message and spent the minutes leading up to it discussing the club and its mission to those gathered.
Allison learned about the organization in 2021 when she attended a lacrosse training camp in Carlsbad, where there was a session about mental health and a speaker from Morgan’s Message.
“I … wanted to become an ambassador,” Allison said. “They had a meeting at San Diego State [University] and I was able to meet Morgan’s mom. That was a cool experience to meet her and learn more.”
“Our message is that you are a person, not just an athlete. We also want everyone to realize they are not alone if they struggle [with mental health].”
— Allison Hawthorne
About Morgan Rodgers
Kerns said Rodgers’ mental health struggles started after a knee injury stopped her college lacrosse career in its tracks.
“It was devastating for her,” Kerns said. “She trained her whole life, so to have that injury was difficult. She was ready to come back as soon as possible. But she struggled with knowing her role on the team, getting enough sleep and staying on top of school work. She tried to put on a brave face, but she was disappointed by where she was.”
When she was able to get back on the field, “it was harder than she thought it would be to acclimate … so she decided to leave the team,” Kerns said. “She still struggled and she didn’t reach out for help.”
After Rodgers’ death, her family established Morgan’s Message to “share stories, reduce the stigma and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health,” Kerns said.
Learn more at morgansmessage.org. ◆