This year, Wofford saw the addition of a new on-campus organization, Morgan’s Message. The national program spreads awareness and support for the mental health of student-athletes, but what does this mean for Wofford’s own student-athlete community?
“Our goal for the chapter is to create a student-led platform where we encourage athletes to be open about their mental health struggles, provide resources and support, partake in activities that reinforce mindfulness and well-being and create an inclusive and safe environment where we can feel seen and understood,” said Shadan Bankston ‘24, a student ambassador for Wofford’s chapter of Morgan’s Message and member of the Women’s Lacrosse team.
On a national scale, the organization operates through the leadership of volunteer ambassadors, like Bankston, who work to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in athletics by creating places which encourage its open discussion.
Perry Henson, director of counseling and accessibility services at Wofford, concurs that the establishment of the campus’ chapter of Morgan’s Message was student-initiated, and the program is primarily student-led.
“Any time students organize for a specific cause, it is really powerful, particularly for mental health,” Henson said.
Henson added that the organization enhances mental health access which can often become obscured by the busy on-campus clinic.
She complemented two of the program’s main pillars, awareness and advocacy. Henson credits the additional layer of responsibility shouldered by many of Wofford’s athletes as a reason for the need of intentional support systems like Morgan’s Message.
“My experience feels different to other college students because of the time that training takes up, meaning I have less time to do homework, and classes or exams can get on top of me more,” said Chloe Elliot ‘26, a member of Wofford’s women’s tennis team. “The stress of having to perform in tournaments and training can also worsen mental health, particularly when you can’t play due to injury.”
The organization itself began to directly address the often silent struggles that couple the demanding schedules and responsibilities of collegiate athletics. Morgan’s Message started as an homage to the late Morgan Rodgers, a Duke University lacrosse player, after she lost her battle with mental health in 2019, and
has since become present on over 700 high school and college campuses across North America.
“Student athletes everywhere really deal with a lack of resources and a lack of space to talk about this stuff,” said Caitlin Beacom ‘23, a Wofford Lacrosse player and club president. “Specifically at Wofford, there is no space here to talk about this. We are the first organization that does what we do. What’s missing is just space and resources, so we decided to try to fill what’s missing.”
On many campuses, including Wofford, those involved hold educational workshops dedicated to spreading the values of Morgan’s Message.
As a newer on-campus organization, the group is currently working to build an athlete-led platform where student athletes can be vulnerable, something Beacom mentions can be difficult in an environment where being “tough” is the standard.
While Morgan’s Message as a whole is not shy about sharing available mental health resources and crisis centers, the organization’s main initiatives are more interested in fostering an open environment for diverse dialogue, as shame and stigma can hold many back from seeking help.
Instead of allowing athletes and others to suffer in silence, Morgan’s Message encourages those who may be experiencing struggles with mental health to seek help, almost acting as a middleman between athletes and their available resources.
“I like to think that (students) engage with what we are trying to do by simply prioritizing their mental health and having difficult conversations about this topic with their teammates and friends,”Beacom said.
A common theme in the recent rise of the movement for mental health advocacy for all demographics has been an emphasis on peer-based discussion, a tactic which is intended to lessen the feelings of isolation which are often associated with such struggles.
In part, the significance of Morgan’s Message at Wofford lies not only in the awareness and access it provides, but also in its community formed upon similar interests and experiences.

Nola Webb, contributing writer