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AFSP Partners with the NFL Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders to Highlight Mental Health in Sports

December 22, 2025 – 1 min read

By AFSP

From left to right: AFSP VP of Health Equity and Engagement Vic Armstrong, Dr. Brook Choulet, M.D., The Hidden Opponent Founder Victoria Garrick Browne, APAF Executive Director Rawle Andres Jr., ESQ

In November, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), a leading suicide prevention organization, partnered with the NFL Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders to lead meaningful discussions on mental health in sports.

Ahead of the Nov. 23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Rams and Nov. 30 Denver Broncos vs. Washington Commanders games, sports psychiatry leaders and suicide prevention and mental health experts gathered to dive into new conversations on the importance of athletes’ mental health and well-being in sports.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Rams pre-game panel programming was co-developed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), American Board of Sports and Performance Psychiatry (ABSPP), American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF), and The Hidden Opponent (THO). Over 200 listeners gathered at YouTube Theater Balcony inside SoFi Stadium.

From left to right: AFSP VP of Health Equity and Engagement Vic Armstrong, Dr. Brook Choulet, M.D., The Hidden Opponent Founder Victoria Garrick Browne, APAF Executive Director Rawle Andres Jr., ESQ
From left to right: AFSP VP of Health Equity and Engagement Vic Armstrong, Dr. Brook Choulet, M.D., The Hidden Opponent Founder Victoria Garrick Browne, APAF Executive Director Rawle Andres Jr., ESQ

AFSP Vice President of Health Equity and Engagement Vic Armstrong was among the panelists and shared insights on how organizations can support their athletes’ mental health by creating an environment where they are encouraged to seek help and utilize well-being services.

Vic

“Sports in many ways reflect the philosophy of how young boys are socialized today. They are taught to be physically strong, and vulnerability is viewed as a weakness,” Armstrong said. “Having these important conversations in the athletic and sports space is critical because it teaches young male athletes that it’s okay to identify their emotions, manage them, and reach out for help.”

The AFSP Greater Los Angeles and Central Coast Chapter also attended the panel and game, bringing and sharing community mental health and suicide prevention resources with attendees.

AFSP Greater LA and Central Coast Chapter staff and community resource partners in attendance at the panel and game.
AFSP Greater LA and Central Coast Chapter staff and community resource partners in attendance at the panel and game.

Additionally, Armstrong joined several mental health professionals and NFL veteran, Marcus Smith, for another pre-game mental health panel at Northwest Stadium ahead of the Nov. 30 Denver Broncos vs. Washington Commanders game. This marked the 2nd Annual Raise Awareness for Mental Health Game with the Washington Commanders.

Panelists discussed the importance of youth mental health in sports. A portion of ticket sales benefited AFSP.

From left to right: Dr. Brook Choulet, M.D., RC of Southern Maryland and Youth Sports Volunteer/Coach David Cernikovsky, PsyD, Compass Maryland Board of Directors Member Brandon Lily, Denise Montgomery, LICSW, AFSP VP of Health Equity and Engagement Vic Armstrong
From left to right: Dr. Brook Choulet, M.D., RC of Southern Maryland and Youth Sports Volunteer/Coach David Cernikovsky, PsyD, Compass Maryland Board of Directors Member Brandon Lily, Denise Montgomery, LICSW, AFSP VP of Health Equity and Engagement Vic Armstrong

The AFSP National Capital Area Chapter was also in attendance, tabling and sharing mental health resources with listeners and attendees.

AFSP National Capital Area Chapter tabling at the mental health pre-game event.
AFSP National Capital Area Chapter tabling at the mental health pre-game event.

AFSP expresses its gratitude to the NFL teams and fellow panelists who participated to shine light on mental health in sports. To learn more about suicide prevention, visit https://afsp.org/.