LG Electronics Enhances Mental Health Support for NCAA Final Four Host Schools with NAMI Collaboration

LG Electronics Enhances Mental Health Support for NCAA Final Four

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving mental health resources for college students, LG Electronics USA has announced its partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to provide support for the host schools of the 2025 NCAA Final Four Men's and Women's Tournaments. This move is part of LG's continued commitment to promoting student well-being, especially within college sports environments.

LG will provide a generous donation of $10,000 to each of the three participating universities: the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), and the University of South Florida (USF). These funds are earmarked to strengthen the local NAMI on Campus clubs at these schools, aiming to enhance mental health resources available to students.

Chris Jung, CEO of LG Electronics North America, emphasized the importance of fostering a supportive environment for mental health, stating, "Creating a supportive environment for mental health and well-being is paramount. Through our partnership with NAMI and support for these universities, we aim to provide tangible resources that will foster students' mental wellness."

The funding will enable each university to expand their programming in the NAMI on Campus initiative, increasing awareness of available mental health resources, and offering peer support for students facing various challenges. In addition, LG is providing its innovative Counter-Depth MAX™ refrigerator with Zero Clearance™ for use in the student meeting spaces at these universities, further enhancing the environment for discussion and support.

Dan Gillison, Jr., CEO of NAMI, expressed gratitude for LG's ongoing partnership, particularly noting the significance of creating a community that supports students, both on and off the court. "That's why I'm so grateful for LG's continued partnership and their deep commitment to student mental health. With their support, we're helping launch NAMI On Campus clubs in tournament host cities—creating space for students and student-athletes to connect, learn, and lean on one another," he shared.

Many stakeholders from the universities have also expressed appreciation for this initiative. UTSA's Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, LT Robinson, commented that LG's support will be a game-changer, ensuring students have necessary resources throughout their academic journey. Similarly, Dr. Kevin Milligan, Director of Behavioral Health Services at UIW, remarked that this initiative would contribute to a more supportive campus community and raise greater awareness of mental health issues and resources available to students.

The issue of mental health is increasingly recognized as vital by organizations such as the NCAA. According to Dr. Deena Casiero, Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA, "Mental health is a health, safety and performance strategic priority of the NCAA." The NCAA's Mental Health Best Practices emphasize the importance of creating healthy environments for student-athletes and fostering institutions that prioritize their mental well-being. This collaboration between LG and NAMI directly supports these efforts by providing essential resources for NCAA member schools.

Last year, LG demonstrated its commitment through the creation of the LG Life's Good Coaches Award, which recognized NCAA coaches who foster mental health awareness and create supportive environments for their athletes. The inaugural recipients, including Yasmin Farooq, women’s rowing coach at the University of Washington, showcased the dedication to promoting mental health initiatives.

As part of its ongoing efforts in mental health awareness, LG also launched the Transparent Conversations podcast series, a platform for discussing the various challenges faced by student-athletes regarding mental health and offering practical coping strategies.

LG Electronics USA, based in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, has been recognized several times for its commitment to social responsibility and health initiatives and aims to create a lasting impact through its partnership with NAMI and its support of student mental health resources. For more information about LG’s various national initiatives and its partnership with the NCAA, visit their website.