Hilinskis Hope Inc

Hilinski’s Hope was founded January 18th, 2018 in honor of my late brother Tyler Hilinski, who was a loving brother, son and fantastic quarterback at Washington State University. Hilinski's Hope is deeply personal to me and my family, and when we created our foundation, we had one goal in mind: to change the way we talk about mental health, especially in the world of sports. What started from loss has become a mission to show student-athletes that they are seen, supported, and never alone. Through everything we do, we’re trying to create real conversations, real change, and a culture where asking for help is a sign of strength—not weakness. 

For the past seven years, this year will be our eighth, we have been conducting a national event known as Student-Athlete Mental Health week. We see participation from 300+ Division I/II/III programs as well as many high schools and middle schools throughout the country. Below, you will find details on this event and how we need your support in making it come to happen this year! Thank you for considering.

Student-Athlete Mental Health Week (SAMHW)

A National Movement for Hope, Support, and Change

Student-Athlete Mental Health Week (SAMHW) is a nationwide initiative led by Hilinski’s Hope, dedicated to raising awareness, breaking stigma, and providing resources for the mental health of student-athletes across the country.

What began as a simple idea—to start conversations that too often go unspoken—has grown into a powerful movement reaching hundreds of schools and thousands of athletes each year.

Throughout the week, schools, teams, and organizations unite around a shared mission: to create environments where student-athletes feel seen, supported, and never alone.

Why SAMHW Matters

Behind every jersey, every performance, and every statistic is a person.

Student-athletes face unique pressures—balancing academics, competition, identity, and expectations—often while silently navigating mental health challenges. Too many struggle without the support or resources they need.

SAMHW exists to change that.

We believe that one conversation can save a life.
One message can spark hope.
And one week can create lasting impact.

What We Do

During SAMHW, participating schools and partners activate a week of intentional programming designed to bring mental health to the forefront of athletics culture:

• Daily Themes & Conversations
  Structured topics that encourage reflection, openness, and connection.

• Team & Campus Activations
  Coaches, athletes, and staff engage in discussions, share stories, and promote supportive environments.

• Digital Campaigns & Storytelling
  Real voices. Real experiences. Real impact—shared across social platforms to reach far beyond campus.

• Resource Distribution
  Tools, guides, and mental health resources provided directly to student-athletes and athletic departments.

• Community & National Partnerships
  Collaboration with organizations, brands, and advocates who believe in the mission of supporting athlete mental health.

Our Impact

Each year, SAMHW continues to grow—expanding its reach, deepening its impact, and strengthening a community built on hope.

• Hundreds of participating schools nationwide

• Thousands of student-athletes reached annually

• Millions of impressions across digital platforms

• Countless conversations started—and lives impacted

But the true impact isn’t measured in numbers.

It’s measured in the athlete who finally speaks up.
The teammate who chooses to check in.
The life that is changed—or even saved—because someone felt seen.

Why We Need Your Support

SAMHW is free for schools to participate in—because we believe access to mental health resources should never be limited.

Your support allows us to:

• Expand to more schools and athletic programs

• Provide free toolkits and resources nationwide

• Produce impactful content and campaigns

• Partner with experts and organizations in mental health

• Continue building a culture where no athlete feels alone

Join the Movement

This is bigger than a week.
This is about changing the culture of sports.

With your support, we can continue to reach more athletes, start more conversations, and carry forward a message that matters:

You are not alone.