Colts, Kicking The Stigma encourage fans to focus on mental health during bye week – Colts.com

Report on the ‘Kicking The Stigma’ Initiative and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3

Initiative Overview and Contribution to SDG 3

The Indianapolis Colts and the Irsay family have launched the “Kicking The Stigma” initiative, a program directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The initiative’s primary focus aligns with SDG Target 3.4, which seeks to promote mental health and well-being.

• The program is designed to raise public awareness regarding mental health disorders.
• A core objective is to remove the stigma frequently associated with mental illnesses, thereby fostering healthier and more inclusive communities.

Strategic Actions for Promoting Mental Health and Well-being

In a direct effort to promote the principles of SDG 3, the organization has implemented a strategic pause in its digital communications to highlight the importance of mental self-care.

1. A temporary cessation of all content publication on the Colts’ digital and social media channels was enacted from 9 a.m. Wednesday to 9 a.m. Monday.
2. This action was designed to underscore the importance of disconnecting from electronic devices to focus on personal and familial well-being.

Public Engagement and Resource Dissemination

The initiative extends a public call to action, encouraging individuals to prioritize their mental health in alignment with global well-being targets.

• The public is encouraged to practice self-care through activities such as mindfulness, meditation, or physical exercise to relax and reset.
• To ensure access to information and support, a dedicated resource hub has been established at KickingTheStigma.org, contributing to the broader SDG 3 goal of providing access to essential health services and support systems.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article directly addresses SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The entire focus of the “Kicking The Stigma” initiative is to “raise awareness about mental health disorders” and encourage people to “focus on their own mental health.” This aligns perfectly with the goal of promoting well-being.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being

• The article’s content is strongly linked to Target 3.4, which states, “By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The campaign’s efforts to “remove the stigma too often associated with these illnesses” and to encourage self-care practices like “mindfulness, meditation, exercise” are direct actions aimed at promoting mental health and well-being within the community.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Implied Indicators

1. Level of Public Awareness: The article states a primary goal is to “raise awareness about mental health disorders.” An implied indicator of success would be an increase in the public’s knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, which could be measured through surveys or campaign engagement metrics.
2. Reduction in Stigma: A key objective mentioned is to “remove the stigma.” Progress towards this can be measured by tracking changes in public attitudes and perceptions regarding mental illness, indicating a more open and supportive environment.
3. Engagement with Support Resources: The article explicitly directs fans to find resources at “KickingTheStigma.org.” A direct indicator of the campaign’s impact is the number of visitors to this website and the extent to which the resources provided are being utilized by the public.
4. Adoption of Self-Care Practices: The call to action for people to practice “self-care through mindfulness, meditation, exercise” implies that an increase in the adoption of these well-being practices among the target audience is a desired outcome and a measurable indicator of the campaign’s influence.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: colts.com