Our
Story
Kicking The Stigma started with a promise—a commitment from the Jim Irsay family to tackle the mental health crisis here in Indiana.
As owners of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay and his daughters have seen firsthand how many Hoosiers suffer in silence. They’ve received countless messages from fans in need, including many with limited access to treatment and no idea where to start. For the Irsays, this only confirmed what they already knew: that mental health is a matter of life and death for millions.
When people are desperate enough to call a football team for guidance, there’s clearly a larger problem at hand. But we realized this was an opportunity to change the narrative and remind the world that it takes courage to ask for help.
Since 2020, Kicking The Stigma has worked to raise awareness around mental health and combat the feelings of shame associated with mental illness. We created a space for athletes to advocate for vulnerability and launched a grant program to support nonprofits across the country. But most importantly, we’ve inspired hundreds of Hoosiers to speak up, share their story, and seek treatment for their mental health.