Honouring Katie Meyer, US women's soccer team starts mental health initiative ahead of 2023 World Cup

Rising soccer star Katie Meyer might not be amongst her friends and teammates anymore but she will always be their thoughts and prayerss. US women's national soccer team stars Naomi Girma, Sophia Smith and Sofia Huerta have introduced an important mental health initiative ahead of 2023 Women's World Cup eve. Girma shared a touching tribute on social media for her late friend and former Stanford University team-mate Meyer, who died by suicide in 2022. Girma is leading the initiative "to destigmatize the conversation around mental health."

Girma's Twitter post announcing the initiative came with a campaign video. It read: "Vulnerability is a sign of strength, not weakness. My teammates and I are determined to make sure everyone has the support they need. Launching the first mental health initiative of its kind with my friends at @CommonGoalOrg. This one’s for you Katie." Common Goal Org. aims to "unite the global football community in tackling the greatest social challenges." FOX Sports also aired a broadcast coverage to "spotlighting the importance of mental health" during the tournament, in a partnership with Common Goal Org.

The video, which was released on Tuesday, features Girma, Smith and Huerta as they are joined by fellow players like Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz, Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson, Alana Cook and Andi Sullivan who can be seen speaking out about the vulnerability caused by mental health issues. Girma had also penned a lengthy and touchy tribute to her late friend on The Players' Tribune as well. "The truest friend I ever had. The most unapologetic, positive, caring person in the world. The first person to be open and talk about her feelings. The first person you’d turn to when you needed to talk about yours. And the last person you’d think would take her own life," Girma wrote.

"You wanted to change the world more than anyone I’ve ever known. So we’re going to make sure that we carry on your legacy. We’re going to make sure that your light never goes out," she added. Staying true to her word, Girma and fellow soccer stars launched the initiative in collaboration with mental health professionals which will continue after the conclusion of the Women's World Cup as well. "It is to make sure that the coaches and players have the tools and skills to know when someone is dealing with a mental health issue, and how to get the proper help", Girma said.

According to ABC7 News, Meyer was found unresponsive in her dorm room on March 1, 2022. Her demise was ruled as a suicide but her parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Stanford University and several administrators, alleging their actions surrounding a potential disciplinary action caused her to take this step. "The actions that led to the death of Katie Meyer began and ended with Stanford University," the lawsuit alleged.

The lawsuit also elaborated on how the soccer player had received a formal charge letter from Stanford's Office of Community Standards, informing her of impending disciplinary action after she, in August 2021, allegedly spilled coffee on a football player, who had reportedly sexually assaulted one of her minor teammates. The formal letter was sent to Meyer through email on the evening of her death, per the lawsuit. "We are deeply troubled and disappointed with what we have learned since her passing and have no choice but to move forward with litigation to achieve justice for Katie and protect future students," the Meyer family said in a statement.