On May 8, The Family Institute at Northwestern University honored former Chicago Cub and 2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist with the Mental Health Community Impact Award at the 2024 Gratitude Gala. Now in its second year, the gala was held at Galleria Marchetti in the River West area of Chicago.
The Family Institute at Northwestern University is one of the nation’s leading relationship-based behavioral health organizations committed to strengthening and healing children and adolescents, couples, families, and individuals through clinical service, education, and research.
Daniel Wilsea, a therapist at The Family Institute, moderated a fireside chat with Zobrist during the gala. The former MLB player spoke about his experience with mental health as a pro athlete, how he managed game-day pressure, and how parents and coaches can best support the next generation of athletes. He also shared his advocacy work surrounding mental health through his non-profit, Champion Forward.
Zobrist explained that he didn’t prioritize mental health early in his professional sports career.
“We didn’t really think about mental health at all,” he said. “The mental side for me was all about toughness as an athlete. You can either tough it out or you can’t. No one wanted to feel mentally weak as an athlete.”
Over time, but especially after winning the 2016 World Series, he found himself trying to manage the stress, fear, and even grief that came with the imposed expectations and wanting to always say “yes” to everything. He realized he needed to be able to talk to a therapist.
“I have got to do proper self-care first,” he said. “Because if I don’t do that self-care first, I’m not going to be the best version of myself that I really want to be.”
Zobrist recognized the importance of normalizing mental health maintenance, especially for younger athletes. This realization ultimately led him to found Champion Forward.
“I looked at The Family Institute years ago. I considered enrolling as a student to try to become a therapist,” Zobrist claimed.
After carefully considering how he wanted to make a difference in the mental health space, he asked himself, “What do I have the ability to do right now to help people in this world who are hurting?”
Zobrist aims to help “erase the stigma” by discussing challenges and suffering.
“We need a level of humility from the athletes,” he said. “The celebrities are struggling, which we are starting to see, I think. It’s not enough to say, ‘Hey, you need to do this. It’s important.’ You have to model it and do it for yourself on a regular daily basis.”
Hosted by the TFI Board of Directors, the Gratitude Gala featured a silent auction, cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres, food stations, and entertainment to raise over $244,000 to support The Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic, which provides free mental and behavioral therapy services for individuals, couples, and families who could not otherwise afford them.
The co-chairs of the event, Lauren Elrod, Amy Gray, and Laura Sachs thanked supporters. Emcee Alfonso Gutierrez, lead anchor of Telemundo, enthusiastically highlighted the importance of the work of The Family Institute.
Jana L. Jones, President and CEO, reminded guests that the impact of Mental Health Awareness Month reaches far behind a single calendar event.
“At the Family Institute at Northwestern University, our work is not bound by a single month. Mental health requires continual attention – every day, week, and month of the year,” Jones said. “We believe that relationships are at the center of life. And we all know that relationships are not always easy.”
Board Chair E.T. Franklin focused on the importance of normalizing conversations around mental health in general and how TFI’s mission remains committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in their journey toward healing and well-being.
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