Suspenders4Hope®, a program developed at Wichita State University, is highlighting different departments and individuals on campus who are advocates for mental health in hopes that their stories will inspire others to continue supporting one another in the community.
Shocker Athletics is being recognized as a Suspenders4Hope Mental Health Advocate for its team’s commitment to supporting its student-athletes and their mental well-being through targeted and proactive training and outreach for its staff, students and the community. Through events such as its annual Mental Health Summit and Black Out Mental Health Stigma games, Shocker Athletics has become one of WSU’s strongest ambassadors for mental health.
At Wichita State University, success for Shocker Athletics is measured not only by championships, high graduation rates and personal-best performances, but by the holistic health, safety and well-being of every student-athlete.
Recognizing the intense pressure, high stakes and unique physical and psychological demands placed on modern student-athletes, Kevin Saal, director of athletics, and other Shocker Athletics leadership have prioritized mental wellness and comprehensive support as core pillars of the department.
A central figure in driving this standard of care is Taylor Spyker, deputy athletic director and senior woman administrator. Spyker has worked tirelessly across student-athlete support areas, including performance and mental health, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition, and general wellness, which builds an integrated ecosystem of care that supports Shocker student-athletes in every aspect of their lives.
“My priority has been to build a culture where mental health is part of how we care for our student-athletes every day,” Spyker said. “That means connecting our support services, making it easier to ask for help and ensuring our student-athletes feel valued beyond their performance. This recognition reflects the expertise and dedication of our mental health department who focus not only on the individual but team culture and building leaders within each team. There is a shared passion and drive within the department to support our student athletes both on and off the field in any way possible.”
Through strategic investments, proactive mental health education and bold public advocacy, Saal, Spyker and the entirety of Shocker Athletics have transformed WSU into a national model for athlete well-being and stigma reduction.
Building a foundation: Annual fall Mental Health Summit
A cornerstone of Shocker Athletics' proactive approach is the annual WSU Athletics Mental Health Summit. Hosted each fall, the summit brings together student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff for dedicated education, open discussion and practical skills building.
The summit breaks down traditional barriers in athletics by normalizing conversations around stress, burnout, performance anxiety and help-seeking behaviors. By bringing athletes and staff into the same room, department leadership sets a clear tone at the start of every academic year: prioritizing mental health is essential for high performance, personal growth and winning outcomes.
Visibility on the big stage: Black Out Mental Health Stigma games
To spread this message beyond locker rooms and training facilities, Shocker Athletics has partnered closely with WSU's Suspenders4Hope mental wellness program to host annual Black Out Mental Health Stigma games across multiple sports.
These high-visibility events turn game days into powerful platforms for community education and advocacy. Fans, coaches and student-athletes wear black Suspenders4Hope apparel, uniting the crowd around the shared commitment of ending the stigma surrounding mental health and reminding everyone in Shocker Nation that they are never alone.
Comprehensive support and proactive training
Kevin Saal speaks at the annual WSU Wellness Retreat on Friday, Nov. 6
Recognizing that elite performance requires specialized, trauma-informed care, Shocker Athletics expanded its internal resources by adding dedicated mental health therapists. Dr. Mouhamad Ballout, director of mental health, and Mallie Hall, assistant director of mental health, specialize in the unique psychological needs of performance athletes. Having embedded mental health professionals within athletics ensures that student-athletes can access tailored care designed for the physical and emotional demands of NCAA Division I competition.
Since 2023, clinical appointments for student-athletes increased by 144%, including a 17% increase in the last academic year. The average number of appointments per student-athlete also increased by 81%, indicating increased engagement with clinical care.
In 2026, Shocker Athletics emphasized mental performance sessions for its teams, providing 17 sessions this fall in addition to clinical care. Those sessions brought the combined total to 100 sessions, a 41% increase in total service activity over the previous year. Overall, total service activity has increased by 194% since 2023.
Shocker Athletics also introduced in-house ADHD assessments last fall and has since completed 15. By bringing the assessment process in-house, student-athletes get answers and access to support sooner.
Additionally, under the department's leadership, Shocker Athletics instituted department-wide suicide prevention training for athletic administrators, coaches and support staff. Utilizing Suspenders4Hope principles and the “Share, Ask, Support” protocol, athletic staff members are trained to recognize warning signs, ask direct questions and connect individuals in distress with immediate, compassionate care.
Leading by example: HOPE Fest
The department's commitment extends deep into community action. At the annual HOPE Fest, a campus and community event dedicated to mental health awareness, suicide prevention and honoring lost loved ones, the Wichita State women's basketball team took center stage by leading the Memorial Walk.
Walking side-by-side with campus leaders, students and community members, the student-athletes demonstrated visible, vocal leadership in action. Their presence underscored the message that Shocker student-athletes and staff are active partners in fostering a compassionate, supportive culture across Wichita and beyond.
A lasting cultural shift across Shocker Nation
Through dedicated staffing, comprehensive training, public advocacy and hands-on community engagement, Shocker Athletics continues building a program where mental wellness and holistic support are integrated into every aspect of the student-athlete experience. Driven by a shared vision across leadership, coaches and support personnel, Shocker Athletics is building hope, strengthening connections and leading the way on campus and in the community.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 24,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
Follow Wichita State on social media:
