This website provides resources for athletes, coaches, administration, and alumni to learn more about how Lewis and Clark Athletics is creating a culture that supports mental health and seeking care for oneself and others.
Follow MVP on Instagram: @MVP.LC
MVP Podcast (Hosted by Mia Naccarato): MVP Podcast
MISSION STATEMENT
Lewis and Clark’s Department of Athletics aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health for student-athletes by fostering a culture of holistic wellness through our Mental-Health Validation Program, MVP. MVP connects student-athletes to mental health resources such as sports psychologists, peer support groups, and educational workshops. Our mission is to value student-athletes as humans first, and athletes second.
In fostering a culture of well-being, we believe that mental health should be prioritized alongside sport-specific practice, sports medicine, strength training, and nutrition. Supporting both mental and physical wellbeing is essential to performance and allows our student-athletes and coaches to be the strongest version of themselves - athletically, academically, and personally.
In Pio Athletics, we believe in being #Humans1stAthletes2nd and value the holistic well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. Together we can break the stigma surrounding mental health in athletics.
This video was created by Dylan Souza, LC Men’s Cross Country ‘24
MVP Current Offerings
Mental Health Liaison and Counseling (On-Campus):
Student-athletes have the opportunity to meet with a licensed mental health professional conveniently with the Athletics buildings. Counselors are available once a week, every other week, for drop-in advice and problem solving to try out talking to a counselor, or therapeutic appointments. Appointments can be scheduled through the Counseling Center by indicating you would like to be seen in Pamplin. Drop in hours are Wednesdays 9am-4:30pm starting on September 11 and located in Zehntbauer Room 127.
Christabel Léonce, PsyD, (she/her) - Athletics Liaison
- Initial and ongoing mental health assessments of student-athletes
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Collaborations with sports medicine staff to ensure effective communication about athletes in need
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Individual meetings with athletes and coaches to coordinate mental health care and/or sport psychology services
Education and Trainings:
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Mental health trainings for athletes, coaches, and sports medicine/athletic training staff
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Monthly mental health check-ins with teams
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Monthly special topic meetings and experiential workshops open to all athletes
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Collaborations with Counseling Center to ensure effective programing to address the unique needs of our BIPOC athletes
Protocols and Planning:
Grants, Research, Independent Study:
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Opportunities for undergraduate independent study and/or research for current student-athletes
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Grant writing to ensure sustainable funding for current and future initiatives
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Research to gain insight and direct MVP programming, as well as recognition for mental health initiative
Lewis & Clark Campus Resources
- Crisis & Emergency Support
- Campus Safety
- If this is an emergency and the student is on-campus, call Campus Safety at 503-768-7777
- Off-Campus call 911
- Counseling Services (M-F 8:30 am-Noon;1:00-4:30 pm)
- Regular Hours 503-768-7160
- A Crisis Counseling Service is available at 503-265-7804
- 24/7 Mental Health Consultation 503-988-4888
- Pio Support Network - PSN is a student-led network passionate about supporting students in their mental health & well-being through weekly peer-facilitated group meetings & events.
- Student Health Center (M-F 8:00 am - 4:00 pm)
- Call: 503-768-7165
- Address: 615 S. Palatine Hill Road MSC 133 Portland OR 97219
National Resources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7)
- Free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you and loved ones.
- Call: 988
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (24/7)
- Free and confidential hotline. Offers a web browser chat.
- Call: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
- National Hopeline (24/7)
- The Trevor Project (24/7)
- Hotline for young people in the LGBTQIA+ Community that are in crisis. They offer online chat, phone or texting services.
- Text “START” 678-678
- Call: 866-488-7386
- Trans Lifeline (24/7)
- Crisis and peer-support hotline, staffed by trans people.
- Call: 877-565-8860
Off Campus Resources
Lewis and Clark has developed relationships with local sports psychologists and mental sport performance coaches for student-athletes seeking resources off campus.
Sierra Renham is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in sports social work and trauma therapy. With a strong background in collegiate soccer as a coach and player, Sierra brings a deep understanding of the unique mental health challenges athletes face. Sierra combines clinical expertise with firsthand athletic experience to help athletes manage anxiety, build resilience, and achieve personal growth. Certified by The National Alliance of Social Workers in Sports, Sierra is committed to supporting athletes in navigating the mental demands of their sport.
Athletes can get in touch with Sierra at
www.wolfpackmhw.com
Anna Hennings MA, CMPC - With her master’s degree in sport psychology, Anna Hennings is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) who maintains a private mental performance coaching practice in Portland, OR. Anna offers one-on-one mental performance coaching sessions for athletes who want to develop and strengthen their mental game, to help them play how they want, when they want.
Dr. Luke Patrick - Luke is a Former Division I track athlete at Drake University and is a licensed psychologist with graduate degrees in kinesiology and counseling psychology. He works with collegiate athletes as well as pro's from MLS, NBA, NFL, NWSL, USA Track & Field, and is excited to work at the intersections of sport, culture, performance, and mental wellness.
Get in touch with Dr. Luke Patrick via his webiste:
https://www.lukepatrickphd.com
Katie Kovach LPC, ATC - My name is Katie. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Athletic Trainer, and a former collegiate athlete. While I am all those things, I am also human. I’ve learned to manage life with the diagnoses of ADHD and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). As a student-athlete, there is a lot on your plate. There is this expectation that because we are an athlete we have to mentally be tough and deal with it all. You do not need to handle it all by yourself. Sometimes you just need a safe place to say “it’s a lot” without fear that someone will judge you, and then learn skills (that you probably already have inside of you) to help you manage all these responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed.
Get in touch with Katie Kolvach via email: Kkovach@inboundspdx.com
"Special thanks to Gabby Beltran ‘23, former Lewis and Clark Women’s Basketball player and the first student-athlete mental health ambassador, for her endless time, dedication, and creativity in designing and creating the #MVP logo and stewardship of MVP"
