The Panthers quarterback recently launched a new foundation and spoke at a treatment facility on Friday.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There’s a certain quietness in the air outside Hopeway, a mental health treatment facility in Charlotte.
“HopeWay is a treatment center, and we currently serve adults and teens. We serve patients with depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and we look at their overall health and help them succeed,” said Dr. Allison Kloski Mazzei, CEO and chief medical officer at HopeWay. “So it’s really important that someone like him is able to have those conversations.”
Another player like him is Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.
Young visited the facility on Friday and participated in a panel discussion with clients about mental health.
“There’s a stigma, especially in my profession, that asking for help is a weakness,” Young says. “We’re all dealing with issues, and we all have things to work on.”
Having an NFL quarterback speak so openly about the topic was beneficial for all involved.
“It gives me hope to have someone in his position come and be genuinely concerned about my mental health,” said Cameron Maxwell, a former veteran client of Hopewell.
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The panel was moderated by Dr. Justin Johnson, Hopeway’s Director of Veterans and Paramedic Services.
“Hopefully having people like Bryce and the other panelists have a platform will encourage more men to come forward and speak out and focus on mental and physical health,” Johnson said.
It’s a theme Young has used his platform to promote.
This past weekend, we were on-site as he launched the Young 9 Foundation, which focuses on providing mental health resources and support to young people.
It’s something he’s learned his whole life, coming from a family of mental health professionals, including his father.
“When people see their heroes talking about their struggles and saying it’s OK to have struggles, it helps change the stigma,” Craig Young said, “and I’m so proud of Bryce for using his platform to help.”
He certainly seems keen to continue and explore it.
“Right now I’m in a blessed position so I’m going to try and help out in any way I can,” Bryce Young said.
