I was checking out both “news” news, & sports news last nt, & was floored by what I saw. First, in a good way…then in a very disappointing (but not surprising) way.
Austin Meadows was traded at the beginning of 2022 from Tampa to the Detroit Tigers. He missed much of that season w injuries & bc of what he later revealed was his MH. The transition to a new city, becoming a father, 2 big pieces of what he shared he struggled w. Well he started this season – on the active roster, fully playing…then last nt, he & the Tigers announced he’d be going on the 10-day IL for his MH. Awesome for the movement to normalize MH struggles & taking time to heal loudly, right? Not so fast.
In the coming slides, you’re not gonna believe how the ball is getting dropped. Meadow’s move came exactly a wk after Daniel Bard was the 1st player to open the season on the IL for MH reasons. That’s what we call a thread. A commonality. Something to show connection & build on.
But if you look at the following slides➡️: 1) USA Today who RAN the Bard article, ran an article a wk later on Meadows w NO mention of the connection to Bard. 2) The following slides: The first 7 news outlets I checked that came up in search: ZERO mention of Bard, in the article abt Meadows. This is the SAME sport – MLB, only a wk apart, something that rarely ever occurs, & you’re telling me NONE of these major (national or local) media outlets are even mentioning the connection? This is why the media gives us almost zero help in changing the narrative & normalizing.
If you keep swiping, I found one outlet, Outkick, that DID mention the connection – & look how simple it was for them to do so. Very clear, concise, & the perfect thread. Even threw in how it connects to an MLB star speaking the same language. Also shared the Tigers org’s supportive msg for Meadows.
It’s clear if we want to see these trends pointed out, & things to change, WE, collectively, need to share & be the change.
Last slide, we’re proud to be one of the sponsors for the Free MH & Well-Being Global Summit starting 4/11, w names like Gabor Mate & Russel Brand. Will share a link in stories to register.