‘Behind the Blue’: Turning pain into progress
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 10, 2024) — Today is World Mental Health Day, and UKNow and “Behind the Blue” are sharing the story of J.J. Weaver, a community and leadership development senior in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and outside linebacker for UK football.
In the summer of 2020, Weaver was devastated by the loss of both his father and his high school football coach. Weaver says he channeled his emotions into football — until an injury later in the fall sidelined him and left him with no outlet.
Struggling with anger and grief, Weaver began falling behind in class and regressing from his teammates. His coaches noticed and reached out to understand what was happening. That support helped, but it was UK Associate Professor Nicole Breazeale’s senior capstone class that helped Weaver turn his pain into progress.
The project connected Weaver to Emily Johnson, the clinical programs manager at the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families. Together, she and Weaver developed a student-led peer support group, first with Weaver’s teammates, called The Perfect Fit Support Group.
The success of the initial concept led Weaver, Breazeale and Johnson to create a larger support group, available to all students, called Loss Inspiring New Connections, or LINC.
On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” the three discuss the beginnings of the program, the overwhelming need for these types of groups throughout the Commonwealth and the legacy they hope build by serving students in need.
Learn more about the program at https://www.kcgcf.org/young-adults.
This episode contains discussions about loss and grief. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, or facing mental and/or substance use disorders, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit samhsa.gov to find help near you.
Additionally, if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, there is help available. You can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 988. This summer, UK HealthCare opened up the state’s first EmPATH emergency psychiatric unit on the campus of Eastern State Hospital, which provides immediate support for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
If you are a UK student, the TRACS (Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support) hub, in the Office for Student Success, is a physical and virtual one-stop shop where students can come for a quick referral to support services or receive direct clinical support for a range of mental health needs, basic needs and crises. You can show up in-person (third floor, east wing of the Gatton Student Center), call 859-21TRACS (859-218-7227) or fill out this form for assistance.
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