This Olympic gold medalist visits Valley Stream Central High School District

Female athletes in the Valley Stream Central High School District were recently treated to a special visit by Olympic gold medalist swimmer Samantha Arsenault Livingstone. The visit highlighted the importance of mental health and taking care of one’s self despite busy schedules.

Livingstone recounted her struggles with poor mental health and suicidal ideation, particularly after her gold-medal win during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It was not until she began to get professional help that she attained a new perspective and strong sense of self-worth, which enabled her to not only be happier, but also perform better in her sport than at any point previously.

The event was organized in partnership with the student mental health nonprofit #SameHereSchools and involved a number of mindfulness and group exercises to get the student athletes thinking and talking about things in their daily lives that might be adversely affecting their mental health.

The visit was one of the many ways the Valley Stream Central High School District is working to ensure its students have the resources and support to maintain their mental health amid their busy schedules.