Posted on: Thursday, June 5th, 2025
Game On For Mental Health Event
Game On For Mental Health Event
Featuring a Panel on Leadership, Athletics & Tackling the Stigma
Sponsored by our Hockomock Area YMCA, Paul & Karen Lenahan, Be Inspired Together, and Kyle Cares in celebration of Mental Health Awareness.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sports Illustrated Pavilion, Gillette Stadium
Foxborough, Mass
- Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
- Program begins at 6:30 p.m.
- Audience Q&A at 7:45 p.m.
Join us for a powerful panel of community members who are dedicated to exploring the role of mental wellness in shaping leadership and resilience.
From the athletic fields, to working with professional athletes, to everyday life, the evening will focus on how conversations and support can tackle stigma, build resilience, and shape stronger communities. Learn how early awareness and supportive environments can foster healthy development and lasting confidence.
Perfect for athletes, parents, coaches, educators, and leaders at every level. All in the community (ages 13+) are invited to attend.
This event is free but registration is required through the YMCA.
This event is offered at no cost to the community due to the support and commitment to mental well-being provided by the Hockomock Area YMCA, Healthy KP and the SAFE Coalition, and the MetroWest Health Foundation.
About our Panelists:
- Rob Ninkovich Rob Ninkovich is an 11 year NFL Veteran, 2 time Super Bowl Champion and Starting Linebacker and Captain of the New England Patriots. Rob and his family have made New England their home following retirement and our YMCA is grateful for Rob’s consistent presence and dedication to our organization and specifically our Integration Initiative. Rob received the 2016 Legends Award for his dedication on the field, matched by his passion for giving back to the community. Rob is dedicated to using his public platform in the community to emphasize the importance of leadership, mental health, finding balance and youth wellness through podcasts, speaking engagements and a video series.
- Dr. Kimberly O’Brien Dr. Kimberly O’Brien is the founder and director of Unlimited Resilience, LLC, a group mental health practice designed for athletes by athletes, and the co-founder and director of Better Together, an athlete peer mentoring program. She is also a research and training consultant at the Behavioral Research & Training Institute at Rutgers University. Her research is focused on the development and testing of brief interventions for suicidal adolescents and their families, with additional specializations in substance use, interventions which utilize technology, and athlete mental health and suicide prevention. Dr. O’Brien has co-authored over 75 articles and book chapters related to adolescent suicide, substance use, and mental health. Dr. O’Brien works with high school and college teams across the country on mental health, mental skills, and suicide bereavement and prevention.
- Dr. Jonathan Jenkins Dr. Jonathan Jenkins is a Clinical Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant. Dr. Jenkins is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in the Sports Psychology and Child/Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Department. In his role in the Sport Psychology Department, Dr. Jenkins supports both amateur and professional athletes with improving their focus, concentration, and anxiety management during competition. Additionally, Dr. Jenkins will work with athletes and teams to manage significant crises that may arise, and he often engages in team building exercises with teams and organizations. In addition to working with athletes in this capacity, Dr. Jenkins also works with other individuals in high-performance occupations, such as artists, executives, lawyers, and others.
Questions about this event, please email our YMCA’s Social Worker Brynne Kirwan, LCSW at brynnek@hockymca.org.
Parking Information: Please park in Lot 22A and look for signage for the event. To view the Gillette Stadium parking map: click here.
