COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs' Dr. Jess Kirby will be representing UCCS overseas this November, where she will be giving a presentation on the Mountain Lion Strong Program.  An Associate Professor in the Health Sciences Department at UCCS and the Director of the Mountain Lions Strong program, Kirby, along with graduate students Maddie Unrein, Mikey Brinton, and Kseniya Doronkina, will be presenting at the Global Alliance for Mental Health and Sport (GAMeS) Conference on November 19-21 in London.
 
"We cannot wait to represent the hard work, passion, and innovation of the Mountain Lion Strong program at the GAMeS Conference in London!" exclaimed Kirby. "Over the past three years, our program has grown from an idea on a sticky note to a small team of seven with big ideas on a white board, to now entering year four with 30 student-athlete peer leaders, interns, and graduate assistants who are outstanding role models for UCCS Athletics and our surrounding community. Through this program, we are changing the game for what's possible with mental health in college sports, and now we get the opportunity to share that program growth and impact on an international stage."
 
Kirby and her team will present research outcomes of the Mountain Lion Strong program in the session named "Experiences of college student-athletes participating in a peer-led mental wellness and resilience education program." This session will share the first-hand mental health experiences of student-athletes, what they have learned in MLS, and how the program has impacted their lives. Additionally, Dr. Kirby will be a panelist on the symposium titled "Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Intervention in Sport: Unique Approaches Using Peer and Holistic Support." Along with colleagues from the CU Depression Center, Georgia State University, and William James College, she will share how suicide prevention training is an essential part of the MLS program and a valued resource that supports UCCS student-athletes every semester.
 
The GAMeS conference is Dr. Kirby's second international presentation of the Mountain Lion Strong program, and her sixth invitation to present on best practices related to the program.
 
The GAMeS is a dedicated international conference for mental health and sport. The GAMeS International Conference for Mental Health and Sport will provide a forum for the presentation of innovative research and policy initiatives and facilitate connections between researchers, sporting practitioners, and government partners worldwide. In addition to two keynote presentations by world-leading experts in mental health and sport, the conference is expected to feature over 50 oral presentations, case studies, rapid communications, and symposia.
 
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.