Leading with Heart at RHS

RHS Senior Leads Powerful Tri Metro Student Leadership Event on Mental Health in Sports

Earlier this spring, student-athletes from across the Tri Metro Conference gathered in the Richfield Middle School auditorium for a powerful and deeply moving event focused on mental health in sports. Brandon Saho was the keynote speaker at the event. He is a former sports reporter turned mental health advocate and founder of The Mental Game. The event brought together students from nine area schools in addition to Richfield High School (RHS) and was designed and led by senior Emma Govenat—a passionate advocate for student-athlete mental health at RHS.

The event created space for important conversations around the mental health challenges many student-athletes face. It was more than just a presentation—it was a movement to break the stigma and encourage a culture of care in high schools across the metro.

For Emma, this work is deeply personal.

“I started a branch of a nationwide program known as Morgan’s Message here at RHS,” she shared. “Morgan's Message focuses on ending the stigma around mental health in athletics, encouraging conversations around the mental health of student-athletes, and making sure mental health is just as important as physical health.”

The program was founded in memory of Morgan Rodgers, a student-athlete at Duke University who tragically died by suicide. Inspired by Morgan’s story, Emma has worked to create a supportive community at RHS where students can talk openly about their mental health and get the support they need.

“This club has created such a community for me,” Emma said. “It makes me so happy to see the work we do to prioritize mental health. It is so cool to see how—when in an environment that supports it—we as students can open up so much.”

Emma’s passion stems not only from her desire to help others but also from her own experiences navigating physical and mental health challenges. After suffering a long-term concussion during her sophomore year swim season, Emma faced a series of ongoing health issues including chronic pain, anemia, and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a nervous system disorder that causes fatigue, dizziness, and other symptoms.

“Because of this, many of my sports dreams had to be put on hold as I worked to feel better on a day-to-day basis,” she explained. “Regardless of that, I have still tried to work my hardest to perform well in and out of the pool and I work to advocate for all students (athletes and not) to speak up if something doesn't feel right and to prioritize their own bodies.”

Emma’s journey has helped her find purpose beyond athletics and empowered her to lead others. Her leadership in bringing Morgan’s Message to RHS and organizing the Tri Metro mental health event has already left a lasting impact—and her story is a reminder of the strength it takes to turn adversity into action.

“I am truly passionate about my involvement with Morgan’s Message and believe that it is one of the most important things on the planet—specifically to help mental well-being, and reduce the risk of suicide and suffering in silence with one’s mental health, especially in the sports community.”

Thank you, Emma, for your courage, your leadership, and your unwavering commitment to supporting others. Your work is changing lives.