COACmH Agenda 2026

SECONDANNUALCONFERNCE

2/17/2026to2/19/2026

Supporters

Fox-TejeroCharitableFund

We’reproudtohostthe2ndAnnualCoalitionofAthleticCommunitiesforMentalHealth (COACmH)Conferencebringingathletes,researchers,subjectmatterexperts,coachesandathletic staff,athletictrainers,parentsandcaregivers,healthprofessionals,andotherinterestedpartiestogetherto advancementalhealthinathletics.

Location:AnschutzHealthSciencesBuilding,1890N.RevereCt.,Aurora,CO,80045(Universityof ColoradoAnschutzMedicalCampus)

AGENDA

Pre-Conference:Monday,February16,2026[VirtualOnly]

9:00am–4:00pm.VitalCogSuicidePreventionforAthleticstrain-the-trainerprogram.Inthis fulldaytraining,participantswilllearntheskills,tools,andknowledgeto independentlyfacilitatethe evidence-basedVitalCogsuicidepreventiontrainingwithintheirownprogram

Day1:Tuesday,February17,2026

8:00am:SpaceOpens/Registration

8:30am–1:30pm:Pre-ConferenceTrainingSessions(SeparateSign-UpRequired)

*8:30am-10:00am.StressFirstAidforAthleticCommunities–

JennaErmold,PhD,ClinicalPsychologist,Co-FounderandTrainer,ElevateLearningCollaborative; AssociateDirectorOnlineTraining,Telehealth&Technology,CenterforDeploymentPsychology; AssistantProfessor,UniformedServicesUniversityoftheHealthSciencesDept.ofMedicaland ClinicalPsychology

• ThisconciseoverviewcoverstheStressContinuum,thefiveessentialelementsofstress recovery(Safety,Calm,Efficacy,Connectedness,andHope),andculturallyinformed considerationsuniquetosport,suchasidentity,stigma,performancedemands,andteam hierarchy.

1.5CEsforpsychologists(APA)availableforthispresentation

*10:15am–12:00pm.USCenterforMentalHealthandSportACT!Certification–

MargaretDomka,PhDCandidate,Co-FounderandExecutiveDirector&SkyeArthur-Banning, PhD,Co-FounderandDirectorofResearchandDevelopment,U.S.CenterMentalHealthandSport

• Learnthesignsandsymptomsofamentalhealthchallengeand/orcrisis,howtode-escalatea situationtoavoidharmtooneselforothers,andwhatpathwaysareavailableforadditional professionalsupport.

12:00–12:30.LunchBreak

*12:30pm-1:30pm.KevinLoveFund-Coach&AthleticStaffTraining–

SaraHahn,DirectorofEducation&LuciaGargicevich-Almeida,Student-AthleteProgramming, KevinLoveFund

• Thistrainingwilldemonstrateanevidence-basedapproachtohelpingstudent-athletesexpress theiremotionsandcultivatetoolsthatsupportwell-being.Itprovidesapracticalframeworkto

reinforcetheseskillswithinteams.Participantswilllearnhowtohelpcreateateamculture thatactivelyreducesstigmaandbuildsconnectionbetweenathletesandcoachingstaff.

Day1:Tuesday,February17,2026-FullConferencePlenarySessions

2:00pm–3:00pm.WelcomeandPanel:Student-AthleteCommunityConnectionPrograms

• Moderator:JoeFontana,Co-Founder,MiaFontanaFoundation

• Panelist:RalphFawaz,Founder,Tele-Hope

• Panelist:KathrynAmes,MA,NCC,LPC,LicensedTherapist,OwnerandFounder,Thruthe Game,LLC

• Panelist:StephanieDonaldson,MS,LCPC,NCC,CEDS,Founder,BroncoBOLD

• Panelist:DonnaReed,ChiefAdvocacyOfficer,ReunitingPathways

3:05pm-4:00pm.RaisingAwarenessandPromotingWellnessThroughStoryTelling

• PresenterandModerator:IsabellaNadeau,MPAAssistantDirectorofUniversity&Alumni Programs,TheQuellFoundation,FounderofLet’sGetRealAboutAthleteMentalHealth

• Panelist:KathrynAmes,MA,NCC,LPC,LicensedTherapist,OwnerandFounder,Thruthe Game,LLC

• Panelist:NickAmes,DirectorofCommunityRelations,ThrutheGame

• Panelist:AllisonIrish,MA,Co-FounderofTheHeadGameProject,4th YearClinical PsychologyPsyDStudent,WilliamJamesCollege

4:00pm-4:30pm.Break

4:30pm-6:00pm.FilmScreening&PanelDiscussion:“MindU:MentalHealthinCollege Sports”

• Moderator:SuzannePotts,LMSW,MPH,AssistantProfessorofInstruction,Universityof Texas–Austin,Member,AllianceofSocialWorkersinSports(ASWIS)

• Panelist:GlennØstenAnderson,MSt,MFA,AssociateProfessorofMediaand CommunicationStudies,TheCatholicUniversityofAmerica

• Panelist:MeghanMcDonogh,PhD,MSW,HeadCoachWomen'sLacrosse,SeniorAssociate AthleticDirector,TheCatholicUniversityofAmerica

• Panelist:LindseySparks,GraduateStudent,ProfessionalBeachVolleyballplayer,California PolytechnicStateUniversity(CalPoly)

• Panelist:MarkandKymHilinski,Founders,Hilinski'sHope

• Panelist:DonaRodgers,Co-Founder&President,Morgan'sMessage

6:30pm-8:00pm:DinnerandAthletePanel

Pleasejoinusforaninformaldinnerandathletepaneldiscussion.

• Moderator:JonathanJenkins,PsyD,CMPC.JonathanJenkinsisFounderofMental Fitness&Psychotherapy,LLC HavingearnedhisPsyDinclinicalpsychologyfromthe UniversityofDenver, he is aclinicalandsportpsychologistwhohelpshigh-performing athletesmanagetheirmindsandplaywithmorefreedom.Dr.Jenkinsmaintainsapractice withMassachusettsGeneralHospital,isaninstructoratHarvardMedicalSchool,andservesas theteamclinicalandperformancepsychologistfortheNewEnglandPatriots,thebehavioral sportpsychologistfortheBostonRedSox,andthesportpsychologyconsultantforthePara RowingFoundation.Dr.Jenkinsisaformercollegeathleteandrecentlyauthoredthebook MentalityWins.

• Panelist:RyanHilinski.RyanHilinskiisaCo-FounderofHilinski’sHopeandbringsa powerfulstudent-athleteperspectivetothefoundation’smission.AformerDivision1 collegiatequarterback,Ryanconnectswithathletesthroughsharedexperience,mentorship, andadvocacywhilehelpingbridgethegapbetweenawarenessandaction.Heplayedfootball atSouthCarolinaandNorthwesternandremainsdeeplycommittedtoadvancingthe foundation’smissionofhopeandprevention.

• Panelist:AllisonWagner.AllisonWagnerisanOlympicsilvermedalistandformerworldrecordholderinthesportofswimming.Sheispassionateaboutathletewellbeingandfostering healthysportcultures.Healthysportcultureshavethepotentialtosupportyouthandathletes inlearningvaluablelessons,improvinghealth,andpracticingthepursuitofexcellence.She currentlyadvocatesforathletes’righttocleansportastheDirectorofAthleteand InternationalRelationsattheU.S.Anti-DopingAgency.

• Panelist:JulieMyers.JulieMyersistheChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheOneLove Foundation,anationalnonprofitdedicatedtoendingrelationshipabusethrougheducation andprevention.PriortobecomingCEOin2023,Juliebuiltahistoriclacrossecareer, becomingthefirstpersontowinNCAAtitlesasaplayer,assistantcoach,andheadcoachin women’slacrosse,whichalsoincludedarecordof27consecutiveNCAATournamentbids.

Day2:Wednesday,February18,2026-FullConferencePlenarySessions

7:30am–8:00am.Registration

8:00am–8:20am.Welcome

8:20am–9:05am.TheModernMindsetonAthleteMentalHealth

• Moderator:ArmanTaghizadeh,MD,Founder,MindsetTrainingInstitute,ClinicalAdvisory BoardChair,TheHiddenOpponent

• Panelist:CivanaDemerson,NCAADivision1SoccerNationalChampion,playedfor NWSL’sWashingtonSpirit,memberofU.S.under-17andunder-20teams

• Panelist:MonteeBall,FormerNFLAthlete,MentalHealthAdvocate,FounderGamePlan LifeFoundation,2025CollegeFootballHallofFameInductee

• 9:10am–9:55am.Coaches,Staff,andTheirImpactonAthleteMentalHealth

• Moderator:BrigitteShulze,Co-Founder,SarahShulzeFoundation

• Panelist:LexiWestley,FormerCrossCountryandTrackAthlete,UniversityofWisconsin, AssistantCoach,RutgersTrack&FieldandCrossCountry

• Panelist:AlissaNiggemann,All-AmericanandBigTenChampion,FormerCrossCountry andTrackAthlete,UniversityofWisconsin,CurrentAssistantCoach,NIWOTHighSchool Track&CrossCountry

• Panelist:GinaMeyer,Co-Founder,Katie’sSave

• Panelist:HaniaTaduran,FormerBeachVolleyballPlayer,UniversityofthePacific,Current GraduateStudentinMarriageandFamilyTherapy,Founder,BreakingBarriers

10:00am–10:45am.ThePoweroftheHuddle:SportsTeamsasCatalystsforCommunity MentalHealth

• Moderator:MenaMirhom,MD,ChiefWellbeingOfficeforAthletesforHope

• AlexReed,PsyD,AssociateProfessor,DepartmentofFamilyMedicineattheUniversityof ColoradoAnschutzMedicalCampus,PsychologistforDenverNuggetsandColoradoRapids

• LethaAtwater,LPC,LACisaclinicianwhohasworkedextensivelywithcommunitiessuchas athletesandfirstresponders.

• JenRoyer,PhD,SeniorDirectorofTrueSport&Awareness

• MonteeBall,FormerNFLAthlete,MentalHealthAdvocate,FounderGamePlanLife Foundation,2025CollegeFootballHallofFameInductee

10:45am–12:00pm.GrabLunch/Networking

*12:00pm–1:00pm.DepartmentofPsychiatryGrandRounds:SportsPsychiatryasaSubSpecialty:AMulti-DisciplinaryTeamPerspectiveofSupportingAthleteMentalHealth

• Moderator:MattMishkind,PhD,DeputyDirector,JohnsonDepressionCenter

• Panelist:JessicaBartley,PsyD,SeniorDirector,PsychologicalServices,SportsMedicine,United StatesOlympicandParalympicCommittee

• Panelist:MikeClark,PhD,PsychologicalServicesProvider,UnitedStatesOlympicand ParalympicCommittee

• Panelist:JuliaCawthra,PhD,PsychologicalServicesProvider,UnitedStatesOlympicand ParalympicCommittee

• Panelist:DavidLacocque,PsyD,DirectorofMentalHealth&PerformancePsychology, UniversityofWisconsin-Madison

1:30-4:30.BreakoutSessions–Eachtrackwillinclude30-minutepresentationsfocusedona specifictopic,witha5-minutebreakbetweeneachpresentationtoassisttransitiontoothersessions.

EatingDisorders

1:30pm–2:00pm.“BeyondPerformance:TheHiddenImpactofEatingDisordersinAthletics”–Sari Pierece,MS,RD,NutritionDirectorofChildandAdolescentServicesatEatingRecoveryCenter

2:05pm–2:35pm. “REDsandEatingDisorders:Overlaps,Differences,andClinicalImplications” –BriPoole,MS,RD,SportsDietician,AthleteEDGEatEDCare

2:40pm–3:10pm “SafeExerciseatEveryStage(SEEs):GuidingSafeReturntoSportforAthletes withEatingDisorders” –KateDaley,MA,LPCC,RDN,Therapist,AthleteEDGEatEDCare

3:15pm–3:45pm. “CollegiateAthletes’ExperienceswithBodyCompositionTesting:What’sNext?”–LindaSteinhardt,MS,RD,CSSD,CEDS,DirectorofNutritionServices,AthleteEDGEatEDCare

3:50pm–4:20pm. “CollegiateAthletes’ExperienceswithBodyCompositionTesting:What’sNext?” continued

Addictions

1:30pm–2:00pm. “WhyAthletesNeedaPathway-BasedFramework”–TamiRomano,PhD,LPC, LAC,SEP,CMMS,DirectorofClinicalOperations,AllPointsNorthLodge.

2:05pm–2:35pm “CommunityasaCatalyst:AddictionandMentalHealthRecoveryinAthletes”–RosWilson,LCSW,ClinicalAssessmentCoordinator/TelehealthTherapist,AllPointsNorth& MichaelWilhoite,formerNFLathleteandcurrentcoach.

2:40pm–3:10pm. “Trauma-InformedAddictionRecoveryforAthletes:IntegratingEMDRandIFS toResettheNervousSystem”–WhitneyDittmar,MA,LPC,EMDRIntensivesforAthletes,TheW Group

3:15pm–3:45pm. “WhentheLinesBlur:AthletesNavigatingaNewEraofLegalizedBetting”JamieGlick,LCSW,LAC,LAT,ICGC-I,InspireHealth&Performance

3:50pm–4:20pm “SportsGambling,CognitiveBias,andStudent-AthleteMentalHealth” –Arty Smith,Founder,GamblingAwarenessInitiative,DistinguishedTeachingChair,KentDenverSchool

SuicidePreventionandMentalHealthCareBestPractices

1:30pm–2:00pm. "Athlete-LedCultureChange:ExperiencesofCollegiateAthletePeerLeadersin FosteringanImpactfulMentalHealthCultureinDivisionIIAthletics" -DarynOfori-Kuragu, MadissynMoore,MaddieUnrein,CateUrbani,&NievesFernandez/JessKirby,PhD,Directorof AthleteWellness&MentalPerformance,UniversityofColoradoColoradoSprings

2:05pm–2:35pm. "MentalHealthisPerformance:IdentifyingAthleteBehaviorandPerformance FactorsAlongtheMentalHealthandNeurobiologicalContinuum."-JessKirby,PhD,Directorof AthleteWellness&MentalPerformance,UniversityofColoradoColoradoSprings &TrentClaypool, PsyD,LicensedClinicalSportPsychologist,SummitSportPsychology,LLC

2:40pm–3:10pm “SleepandAthleteMentalHealth”–K.ChaseSpoon,MD,SleepMedicineand Psychiatry,Providence,Missoula,MT

3:15pm–3:45pm. “ConnectionistheIntervention:PositiveRelationshipsandPeerAdvocacyasa LifelineinAthletics” –AllyIrish,MA,Co-FounderofTheHeadGameProject,4th YearClinical PsychologyPsyDStudent,WilliamJamesCollege

3:50pm–4:20pm. “FamilyPerspectives:AQualitativeExaminationofCollegeAthleteSuicide DuringtheSpring2022Semester”–ElaineM.Anton-Lotruglio,MA,LMSW,DoctoralCandidate, SchoolofSocialWelfare,CollegeofIntegratedHealthSciences,UniversityatAlbany-SUNY

YouthSportsasProtectiveFactors

Introduction:CalebCoats,ProjectPlayColorado

1:30pm–2:00pm. “ScienceintoAction”-SheilaOhlssonWalker,Ph.D.,TheUbuntuFundandMarc Brackett,Ph.D.,TheYaleCenterforEmotionalIntelligence

2:05pm–2:35pm. “AlwaysandAthlete:StayingConnected”-MariannaWilliamson,USAssociation ofBlindAthletesandformerUSAGymnastandEmilyHuston,MA,HomeTeamformerUSAand ProVolleyball

2:40pm–3:10pm. “ConversationwithCHSAA”-RashaanDavis,ColoradoHighSchoolActivities Association

3:15pm–3:45pm.“AthleticsandBeyond”-NarcyJackson,AthleticsandBeyond

3:50pm–4:20pm. “BridgingtheGap”-JenRoyer,PhD,SeniorDirectorofTrueSport&Awareness

4:30–4:45.Day2CloseOut

6:00–9:00pm DinnerandSocialEvent

Pleasejoinusforaneveningofmusic,socializing,games,OlympicGamesviewing,andpizza.Thinkof thisasanindoortailgate…

Day3:Thursday,February19,2026

8:00am–8:15am.WelcomeandMissionMoment

8:15am–9:00am.MoreThantheJersey:Identity,Body,andMentalHealthAcrossthe FemaleAthleteLifespan

• Moderator:JoyAvedesdian,ManagingPartner,Stellarix,FormerCollegiateSoccerPlayer, UC-Irvine

• Panelist:AubreyArmento,MD,CAQSM,PediatricSportsMedicinePhysician,Female AthleteProgram,Children’sHospitalColorado,AssistantProfessor,Orthopedics,University ofColoradoSchoolofMedicine

• Panelist:LaurynRoth,MD,AdolescentGynecologist,FemaleAthleteProgram,Children’s HospitalColorado

• Panelist:JenniferAnderson-Ehrlic,ExecutiveDirector,SportswomenofColorado

• Panelist:SierraEnge,ProfessionalSoccerPlayer,RCStrasbourg,ArkemaPremiereLigue

9:05am–9:35am “FromBattlefieldtoPlayingField:UsingStressFirstAid(SFA)toSupportAthlete MentalHealth” -JennaErmold,PhD,ClinicalPsychologist,Co-FounderandTrainer,Elevate LearningCollaborative;AssociateDirectorOnlineTraining,Telehealth&Technology,Centerfor DeploymentPsychology;AssistantProfessor,UniformedServicesUniversityoftheHealthSciences Dept.ofMedicalandClinicalPsychology-0.5CEsforpsychologists(APA)availableforthispresentation

9:35am-10:05am. “PreparingforLifeAfterSport” -JoyAvedesdian,ManagingPartner,Stellarix, FormerCollegiateSoccerPlayer,UC-Irvine

10:05am-10:30am MorningBreak

10:30am–11:15am.SpecialTopicsforMaleAthletes–EatingDisordersandBodyImage

• Moderator:RossBarr,PsyD,AssistantA.D.forStudent-AthleteMentalHealthand Performance,ColoradoStateUniversity

• Panelist:CharlieFaldi,CurrentStudent-Athlete,Lacrosse,ColoradoCollege

• Panelist:DannyO’Connor,FormerWBCInternationalSilverSuperLightweightChampion, 2008Olympian,NationalGoldenGlovesChampion,HolisticHealthSpecialist,andCoach

• Panelist:TaylorSmith,MentalPerformanceCoachforAthleteEDGE,CollegiateSwimmer, andSwimCoach

• Panelist:PatrickDevenny,FormerUniversityofColoradoFootballPlayerandSeattle Seahawk,EatingRecoveryCenterAmbassador

11:15am–12:00pm.ScalingCare:HowDigitalHealthisLevelingthePlayingFieldin CollegeSports

• Moderator:IvanTchatchouwo,CEO/Co-Founder,ItsTheZone:Moderator

• Panelist:NathaanDemers,PsyD,ClinicalPsychologistandPrincipalInvestor,Hopelab

• Panelist:ScottSidwell,DeputyDirectorofAthletics/ChiefOperatingOfficer,ColoradoState University

• Panelist:LauraJones,PhD,CoordinatorofStudent-AthleteWell-BeingandPerformance, UniversityofNorthCarolina–Asheville

• Panelist:AnthonyFaraino,CEO&Co-Founder,Mindflow

12:00pm–1:00pm.NetworkingLunch/NextStepsDiscussion. Thiswillbeaworkinglunchto discussnextstepsfortheCoalition.Pleasejoinusandhelpguideourdevelopment.

1:00pm–1:45pm.BestPracticesofTeam-BasedMentalHealthCareinAthletics

• Moderator:SherrieBallantine-Talmadge,DO,AssociateProfessorofClinicalPractice, Orthopedics,UniversityofColoradoSchoolofMedicine

• Panelist:DavidLacocque,PsyD,DirectorofMentalHealth&SportPsychology,University ofWisconsin-Madison

• Panelist:MarkAllen,MD,Director,PeakSportsPsychiatry,ChairmanoftheBoardof Directors,AmericanBoardofSports&PerformancePsychiatry

• Panelist:DennisCoonan,MSE,LAT,ATC,Manager,SportsMedicineCenter,Athletic Trainer,OrthopedicsInstitute,Children'sHospitalColorado

• Panelist:KylieLahey,LCSW,AssistantDirector,PsychologicalHealth&Performance, UniversityofColorado

1:50pm–2:35pm.CalltoAction–ClosingGapsandBuildingaConstellation

• Moderator:MarkAllen,MD,ChairmanoftheBoardofDirectors,AmericanBoardofSports &PerformancePsychiatry,Owner,PeakSportsPsychiatry,LLC

• Panelist:JonathanJenkins,PsyD,CMPC.JonathanJenkinsisFounderofMentalFitness& Psychotherapy,LLC.

• Panelist:JessKirby,PhD,DirectorofAthleteWellness&MentalPerformance,Universityof ColoradoColoradoSprings

• Panelist:OliviaPapakyrikos,MA,LMHC,Founder,PapakyrikosTherapy&Performance

• Panelist:KathrynGoetzke,MBA,CEO&ChiefHopeOfficer,TheShineHopeCompany

2:40pm–3:15pm:CloseOut/OverviewofNextSteps

Partners in Collaboration

HELEN AND ARTHUR E. JOHNSON DEPRESSION CENTER