The Kicking The Stigma Collection has a new look – Colts.com

Report on the ‘Beyond the Sidelines’ Initiative and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Initiative Overview

• Event: The third annual “Beyond the Sidelines” fundraiser.
• Organizer: The Indianapolis Colts.
• Beneficiary Program: The “Kicking the Stigma” initiative.
• Primary Objective: To raise awareness of mental health disorders and reduce associated stigmas, channeling proceeds into community-based mental health services.

Contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The initiative directly supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3, particularly Target 3.4, which aims to promote mental health and well-being. Contributions include:

1. Promoting Mental Health Awareness: The event serves as a high-profile platform to educate the public on the importance of mental health.
2. Combating Stigma: A core mission is to dismantle the social and cultural barriers that prevent individuals from seeking care for mental health disorders.
3. Enhancing Access to Services: Funds are allocated to organizations that provide essential mental health services, thereby improving the community’s overall health infrastructure.

Contribution to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The operational model of “Kicking the Stigma” exemplifies SDG 17, which encourages multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

• Public-Private-Civil Society Collaboration: The initiative demonstrates an effective partnership between a private sector entity (The Indianapolis Colts) and civil society organizations (nonprofits).
• Mobilization of Resources: The partnership successfully mobilizes financial resources through its Action Grants program to address a critical public health challenge.
• Community Engagement: By funding over 60 community organizations, the initiative strengthens local networks and fosters a collaborative approach to achieving health-related goals.

Financial Impact and Support for SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The program’s financial distribution model contributes to reducing inequalities in access to healthcare services, a key component of SDG 10.

• Total Funding Awarded: To date, $6.4 million has been distributed through Kicking The Stigma Action Grants.
• Beneficiary Reach: Funding has supported more than 60 nonprofits and organizations.
• Local Impact: By focusing primarily on organizations within Indiana, the initiative ensures that vital resources are directed toward local communities, improving equitable access to mental health support.

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly addresses this goal by focusing on the “Kicking the Stigma” initiative, which is “dedicated to raising awareness about mental health disorders.” Mental health is an integral component of overall health and well-being, as emphasized in SDG 3.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   The article’s content aligns with the latter part of this target. The initiative’s core mission to raise “awareness about mental health disorders” and “combat[] the stigma surrounding them” is a direct effort to “promote mental health and well-being.”

2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

   The “Kicking The Stigma Action Grants” contribute to this target by providing “vital funding to nonprofits and organizations… that… offer essential services.” By funding these organizations, the initiative helps increase the community’s access to essential mental health care services.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Financial resources mobilized for mental health services.

   The article explicitly states that “Kicking The Stigma has awarded $6.4 million in Action Grants.” This monetary value is a direct and quantifiable indicator of the resources being directed towards supporting mental health organizations and their services.

2. Number of community organizations supported.

   The text mentions that grants have been awarded to “more than 60 community organizations.” This number serves as an indicator of the expanded capacity and reach of mental health service providers within the community, primarily in Indiana.

3. Implementation of awareness and anti-stigma campaigns.

   The article describes the “third annual ‘Beyond the Sidelines,’ a fundraiser event” for the “Kicking the Stigma” initiative. The existence and continuation of this initiative and its associated events are themselves an indicator of ongoing actions to raise awareness and combat stigma, as called for in Target 3.4.

4. Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: colts.com