The University of Richmond is joining the fight to improve mental health outreach and eliminate its stigma on college campuses, through a new partnership with Hilinski’s Hope Foundation ahead of its third annual College Football Mental Health Week.

The partnership was announced Monday, with UR’s involvement starting Oct. 1 and ending Oct. 8. UR joins over 115 colleges in the United States that have partnered with Hilinski’s Hope, a foundation started by Kym and Mark Hilinski in honor of their son, Tyler, a former Washington State University quarterback, who died by suicide.

“We are incredibly honored that over 115 schools nationwide will be participating in this year’s mental health week to fight stigma and increase resources on campuses,” said Kym Hilinski, co-founder of Hilinski’s Hope, in a statement. “While conversations around mental illness can be tough and at times uncomfortable, it is absolutely critical for the well-being of our student athletes.”

As part of College Football Mental Health Week, UR plans to use at least one of Hilinski’s Hope’s programming options, from adding lime green ribbons to all their players’ helmets to honor those lost or suffering in silence.

UR also will encourage solidarity among students, alumni, parents and fans or take an internal assessment to see how well the college is addressing mental health in honor of those lost to or suffering from mental health issues as part of this partnership.

“College Football Mental Health Week is an incredible way to de-stigmatize and support student-athlete mental health,” said Rachel Turk, UR’s psychologist for athletics. “Every student-athlete should know that they are important and they are not alone.”

More information is available at www.hilinskishope.org/cfb-mental-health-week.