Partner Spotlight: NBC Regional Sports

“I’M NOT ASHAMED TO SAY I’M MENTALLY ILL. THAT DOESN’T MEAN I’M MENTALLY WEAK” Robin Lehner, Goalie, Chicago Blackhawks
 
Our partner at NBC Sports Regional Networks is launching its multi-platform initiative on mental health and men’s health, HeadStrong: Mental Health and Sports, throughout Movember. The month-long campaign begins with the debut of feature documentary HeadStrong: Mental Health and Sports, on each of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, on-site activations and events planned in several key markets across the U.S., and robust short-form content featuring a broad array of perspectives on mental health and men’s health. The documentary is produced in partnership with Religion of Sports, the Sports Emmy-winning media company founded by Tom Brady, Michael Strahan, and Gotham Chopra.

The documentary HeadStrong: Mental Health and Sports tells the story of four elite athletes who have faced mental health challenges: Justise Winslow, forward/guard for Miami Heat; Nathan Braaten, former Oregon State University soccer player and founder of Dam Worth It; Hayden Hurst, Baltimore Ravens tight end; and Clint Malarchuk, former goalie for Quebec Nordiques, Washington Capitals, and Buffalo Sabres. Six-time Pro Bowl receiver and Founder of House Of Athlete Brandon Marshall also appears in the program and serves as an executive producer. 
 
“Unfortunately, there is a stigma that surrounds mental health, and it’s perceived as a weakness if we come out and say, ‘I don’t feel OK.’” - Hayden Hurst, Baltimore Ravens, NFL
 
“I’m the guy that knows mental anguish, so I should be the guy to help the cause – how do we get them to come out of the darkness… You’re not weak, you’re sick.” - Clint Malarchuk, Former NHL goalie

HeadStrong: Mental Health and Sports premieres this week on the NBC Sports Regional Networks, and debuts nationwide on NBCSN on November 20. Each network will present multiple encores throughout the month. Below are the debut days and times for each of the NBC Sports Regional Networks and NBCSN.
 
NBC Sports Bay Area: Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. PT
NBC Sports Boston: Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. ET
NBC Sports California: Nov. 9 at 10:30 p.m. PT
NBC Sports Chicago: Nov. 9 at 9 p.m. CT
NBC Sports Northwest: Nov. 8 at 10 p.m. PT
NBC Sports Philadelphia: Nov. 7 at 10 p.m. ET
NBC Sports Washington: Nov. 7 at 10 p.m. ET
NBCSN: Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. ET

As part of the HeadStrong initiative, a series of more than 35 short-form digital video features focused on mental health and men’s health issues will be released throughout the month on a special HeadStrong web page. An additional 50-plus combined short-form digital video features will be published by the NBC Sports Regional Networks on their respective HeadStrong sites, focused on local subjects and stories. Written articles, social content, and other media will complement the feature documentary and short-form videos. A trailer of the one-hour documentary special is available here.  

Movember’s mission is to stop men from dying too young. We are thrilled to see our partners at NBC Sports Regional Networks working to create awareness on this topic and make a difference for men’s health. By using the influential platform of sports, we have an opportunity to end the stigma of mental health issues. For more information on our work in the mental health space, click here.
 
You can take action by raising funds and awareness this Movember for all of the men in your life.