Mental Health Matters, No Shame in the Game: A conversation with US Women’s National Soccer Player, Julie Ertz

While it is vitally important, being an athlete is not just about physical conditioning—mental health and self-care play a huge role. Playing at such an elite level can take a toll on your physical and mental health, but Julie Ertz, the powerful midfielder, has found a way to deal with the highs and lows that come with the game. During such an unprecedented time, Julie will share with all ways in which she finds the solace to refresh and restart when things get hard. Together with her husband, NFL player Zach Ertz, a tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, they have started a foundation that centers itself on transforming lives. The Ertz Family Foundation provides opportunities for youth to learn the value of exercise, nutrition, leadership, work ethic, accountability and teamwork. Improving the quality of education through supporting teachers, students and schools and restoring hope and building communities for families that need it most.

In conversation with Julie Ertz will be Adelphi’s own Marissa Abram ’08, PhD ’17, assistant professor for the College of Nursing and Public Health.

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Mental Health Matters

During these tough times, Adelphi offers resources to help:

• Student Counseling Center
• Headspace Mindfulness Appfor students
• Center for Psychological Services for children, adolescents and adults
• Mental and Emotional Well-Being for Employees

About the Speaker

Julie Ertz

Olympian and US Women’s National Soccer Player

Julie Ertz is a 2-time World Champion soccer player who currently plays for the USWNT and the Chicago Red Stars. Julie attended Santa Clara University until she was drafted third overall in the 2014 NWSL Draft. Since being called up to the USWNT in 2013, she has consistently remained a dominant piece of the decorated team. In 2015, she was one of five players who played in every minute of every match during the USWNT’s championship run. Julie was named USWNT Player of the Year in both 2017 and 2019 for her contributions on the field and leadership off it. In addition, she was named to the FIFA FIFPro Women’s World 11 in 2015 and 2019 after both World Cup championship runs, which recognizes the top 11 players in the world. Julie was recently awarded the ESPY for the Best NWSL Player of 2020 and played a pivotal role in the USWNT’s bronze medal run at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Shortly after getting married in 2017, Julie and her husband, Zach, launched the Ertz Family Foundation, whose mission is to “empower others by sharing faith, learning through sports, and advancing education to build supportive communities.” Through the foundation, they have spent the last 3 years serving the Philadelphia community as well as others around the world.

Moderator

Marissa Abram ’08, PhD ’17

Assistant Professor, College of Nursing and Public Health

Marissa Abram is an Assistant Professor at Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health. She is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner currently practicing in Emergency Psychiatry at Northwell Health and in co-occurring disorders at the

Town of Babylon in the Drug and Alcohol Division. She is the founder of Strategic Wellness Management, a private mental health practice where she focuses on promoting mental health and wellness with her clients. Dr. Abram’s research interests are focused on the delivery of care within the substance use treatment setting and best practice in educating the future workforce in the care of the individual with substance use disorders. She serves as the President of the New York State Chapter of the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA). Notably, Dr. Abram is Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and the International Academy of Addictions Nursing. Dr. Abram is a member of Adelphi University’s 2015 class of 10 Under 10.