COLTS TO HIGHLIGHT MENTAL HEALTH LEADING INTO OCTOBER 5 'KICKING THE STIGMA' GAME

Kicking The Stigma and the Indianapolis Colts will raise awareness about mental health and wellness this week leading into Sunday’s annual “Kicking The Stigma Game,” when the Colts take on the Las Vegas Raiders. Find your seat at Ticketmaster.com. Buy tickets now!

The Irsay family and the Colts launched Kicking The Stigma in 2020 to raise awareness about and end the stigma surrounding mental health. Since then, Kicking The Stigma has committed more than $32 million toward expanding treatment and research and raising awareness in Indiana and beyond.

Learn more at KickingTheStigma.org

THROUGH OCT. 3 – “BEYOND THE SIDELINES” VIRTUAL AUCTION

Beyond the Sidelines is this Friday’s fundraiser benefiting Kicking The Stigma.

Although the event is sold out, fans may participate by bidding in the Beyond the Sidelines “virtual auction,” which includes items autographed by Hall of Famers Peyton Manning, Tony Dungy and Edgerrin James; dinner with Head Coach Shane Steichen and General Manager Chris Ballard; an Indianapolis Motor Speedway “Month of May” package, Indiana University football package, Colts gear and other unique opportunities.

The auction is open through Oct. 3 at 10 p.m.

Click here to check out the virtual auction items.

BEGINNING THIS WEEK – AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

  • New Awareness Campaign. This week, Kicking The Stigma will launch a new media campaign with advertisements on connected television (CTV) as well as on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
  • Second Annual Coffee Cup Sleeve distribution. For the second year, Kicking The Stigma, in collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Indiana, will provide 100,000 free mental health-themed coffee cup sleeves to more than 50 Indiana coffee shops. (A list of participating shops is available at KickingTheStigma.org).
  • Blue’s Downtown Messages of Hope. Team mascot “Blue” will be out and about in downtown Indianapolis to stencil-paint the phrases “You Are Enough!” and “Don’t Let the Hard Days Win!” On several sidewalk locations. The messages, in temporary paint, aim to raise mental health awareness leading into World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10.

OCT. 1 – 13 – KICKING THE STIGMA CONVERSATION STARTERS

Kicking The Stigma will stage two structures – at the Indianapolis International Airport baggage claim area and Lucas Oil Stadium’s South Concourse – to serve as places to start conversations about mental health and end the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Indy residents are encouraged to show their support at these locations by sharing their favorite photos on social media using #KickingTheStigma.

SUN., OCT. 5 – “KICKING THE STIGMA GAME” vs. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

The Colts are dedicating their Oct. 5 home game vs. Las Vegas to highlighting Kicking The Stigma. During the game, the team will recognize Hoosier mental health professionals for their work, while fans will learn about local mental health resources and ways they can help or contribute to the effort.

  • Mental Health Professionals Breakfast, presented by Ascension St. Vincent. The team will host more than 400 mental health professionals for an exclusive stadium breakfast and then welcome them to the field pre-game to hold the American flag during the National Anthem.
  • Fan Giveaway. The first 40,000 fans through the gate at Lucas Oil Stadium will receive a Kicking The Stigma roll banner.
  • Coaches and players will wear Kicking The Stigma pregame warmup shirts, featuring the phrase “Mental Health is Health.”
  • Proceeds from the Colts 50/50 raffle will help support the Kicking The Stigma Action Grants.

Find your seat at Ticketmaster.com. Buy tickets now!