SAN DIEGO — On Wednesday, the San Diego Padres and Major League Baseball (MLB) joined forces to stress the importance of mental health, with a special event aimed at local high school students. Former Padres players Mark Loretta and Carlos Quentin spoke candidly about their personal experiences with mental wellness, sharing valuable lessons in front of 80 students at Petco Park before the team’s game against the Miami Marlins.
The event, titled “Understanding Mental Wellness,” was part of MLB’s broader initiative in partnership with Everfi, an online education platform. Students who had completed a mental wellness course were invited to attend, alongside Dr. Laura Sudano, a UC San Diego Health expert and Padres’ employee assistance coordinator. Radio broadcaster Jesse Agler served as the event’s host.
Loretta, currently serving as the Padres’ special assistant to the CEO, highlighted the growing challenges around mental health, especially for today’s youth. “Mental health is certainly as important, or maybe more important, than physical health,” he said. “With the pressures of social media, anxiety levels are high, particularly among young people.”
Loretta and Quentin shared personal stories about managing performance anxiety and the stresses of professional sports, aiming to show students that mental health struggles are common in all walks of life.
While the speakers may have appeared far removed from the students, their experiences resonated. “The only time you ever have is the moment right now,” Loretta said, emphasizing the importance of moving forward and not dwelling on past mistakes. “In baseball, you have to have a short memory. If you can focus on today, tomorrow will take care of itself.”
Quentin, in contrast, shared his struggles with managing anxiety throughout his career. “I lived on a roller coaster,” he admitted. “I wasn’t as good as Mark at moving past mistakes. But I’ve learned a lot since then.” Since retiring, Quentin has committed himself to improving the environment for young athletes through his organization, “Before the Field.”
The event, held in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, underscored the shared goal of Loretta, the Padres, and MLB to provide resources and support for mental wellness.
As Loretta concluded, “Everybody faces mental struggles, but it’s important to know you’re not alone. There are resources available to help.”
The session marked a key moment in MLB’s ongoing commitment to mental health, aiming to break down stigmas and offer support to those in need.
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