Andre Fluellen camp spotlights youth mental health in Ohio

More than 200 middle and high school students took part in Andre Fluellen’s Beyond the Game M.V.P. Sports Camp in Xenia, Ohio, where the four-day event mixed athletics with mental health discussions and immediate on-site support. The camp also launched Fluellen’s national Still Here campaign, aimed at suicide prevention and reducing stigma among young people.

Why it matters: - The camp turned a sports program into a direct mental health intervention for Ohio students. - Students who disclosed depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation were connected immediately with a behavioral health professional on-site. - The event shows how youth sports can create access points for mental health support when schools and communities need them.

What happened: - Former NFL defensive tackle and youth advocate Andre Fluellen wrapped up the Beyond the Game M.V.P. Sports Camp in Xenia, Ohio. - More than 200 middle and high school students attended the four-day camp. - The camp combined athletics, mentorship and leadership conversations with mental health programming. - The event served as the launch of Fluellen’s national Still Here campaign.

The details: - Campers took part in football, basketball and volleyball instruction. - Students also joined mental health discussions and activities aimed at encouraging open conversation and reducing stigma. - Fluellen said the camp is meant to be about more than sports, and that even one young person leaving feeling less alone would count as a win. - Special guests included two-time Super Bowl champion Lee Rouson, 17-year WNBA veteran Rushia Brown and former NFL defensive lineman T.Y. McGill. - Those guests shared personal stories about perseverance, leadership and overcoming adversity. - Kyrie Irving supported the camp by donating athletic shoes through his foundation. - Fluellen’s Still Here campaign focuses on youth mental health awareness and suicide prevention. - The campaign message tells young people they are valued, supported and never alone. - Beyond the Game Impact was founded by Fluellen and works with schools, athletes and communities nationwide through sports, mentorship and education. - The organization’s mission includes leadership development, character building and emotional support for students. - More information is available at Andre Fluellen’s website.

Between the lines: - The camp’s most important outcome may not have been on the field. - The number of students who disclosed serious mental health struggles suggests a level of trust that can be hard to build in traditional settings. - Fluellen is using athletics as a bridge to broader support, not as the end goal. - The involvement of well-known athletes also gives the message extra visibility and credibility for young participants.

What’s next: - Fluellen plans to expand the Still Here campaign. - Beyond the Game M.V.P. Sports Camp is expected to keep growing. - Fluellen says the goal is to create more opportunities for young people to build confidence, strengthen mental well-being and reach their potential.

The bottom line: - In Xenia, a youth sports camp became a space where students could talk honestly about mental health and get help fast.