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
