UW athletes challenge students to prioritize their mental health
University of Washington Athletics and Premera Blue Cross teamed up to host “The REFRESHER Challenge,” a new take on tips to support mental wellbeing.
Three teams of Husky student-athletes shared their REFRESHER activities on social media throughout May, earning their team points when they accept and complete a challenge, or challenge other student-athletes to participate.
UW Student-Athlete Wellness Services Coordinator Dr. Polo DeCano created the challenge, which includes a list of research-backed activities that support mental health and form the acronym REFRESHER:
- Relationships
- Exercise
- Fun
- Relaxation & Stress Management
- Eating well
- Sufficient sleep
- Helping others
- Earth
- Reason
As part of the challenge, each team selected a mental health-focused nonprofit to receive a $1000 donation from Premera. The organizations included National Alliance on Mental Illness-Seattle, Asian Counseling and Referral Services, and Atlantic Street Center.
The six student-athletes who led the REFRESHER Challenge teams were Giselle Alvarez, Drew Azzopardi, Jadyn Holdenried, Julia Hunt, Bodi Ligons, and Connor Lofy.