Women’s Soccer player praises donor-funded mental health resources
Junior Mia Hamant’s smile widens as she describes her evolution from a “lost and immature” freshman on the Washington Women’s Soccer team to the proud and confident starting goalkeeper she is today.
“I’m in a really good place mentally, and it’s all thanks to the resources at the University of Washington that helped me figure my life out,” says the California native.
It was a tough start to college life for Mia. After committing to Washington her junior year of high school, she tore her ACL a few months before arriving on campus. That benched her during her freshman year as she spent 15 months rehabbing her knee.
In addition, Mia’s home and personal life was also upended. Her parents divorced. She was trying to emerge from a toxic romantic relationship. And she struggled to come to terms psychologically with being unable to play the sport she loves after a stellar high school and club soccer career.
“I didn’t know who I was outside of soccer. I was lost,” Mia recalls.
She’d taken advantage of mental health counseling in high school and was amazed at how much it helped her balance her life. It was an easy decision to seek out the therapy offered by the Athletic Department, which is funded by The Go BIG! Fund and other specified donor support. Student-athletes can also take advantage of group sessions and app-based mental health services.
“Free therapy! Why would I pass that up? I think everyone should see a therapist, and I’ve encouraged a lot of my friends to do it,” says Mia, who benefited so much from the process that she became a peer advocate to help other student-athletes adjust to the often-overwhelming pressures of college life.
“Now, I am so confident within myself,” she states. “I’ve come to peace with what’s happened in my past. I’ve been shocked at the maturity I’ve gained the past couple years and I’m proud of who I am. That all comes from the mental health resources I’ve used.”
Her experience inspired her to major in psychology so she can one day help others, too.
“Every day I stand on the field, I’m blessed,” Mia concludes, her smile growing even wider.
