Why the Bills are prioritizing Mental Health and Wellness Awareness Month
The month holds weight inside One Bills Drive because players and coaches understand that mindset and the mental space is a critical aspect of the game. Bills team clinician and sport psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa, who’s known around the facility as Dr. Dez, believes May is the perfect time to encourage open dialogue about our mental wellness.
“Just like it is important to exercise, get a good night’s sleep, eat well, and take care of our physical bodies, it is just as important to cultivate strategies to care for our minds, our emotions, and our relationships,” Festa said. “Mental wellness is foundational to how we experience life. May is a great time to take a proactive approach to optimize our mental space.”
Throughout the month of May, Dr. Dez will provide a series of ‘Mental Moments’ to help equip everyone with tools to enhance our mental and emotional resilience. She hopes these tools can help begin anyone’s mental health journey or help in finding ways to deepen mental wellness practices.
“Mental wellness is about optimizing your thoughts, emotions and connections with others,” Dr. Dez shared. “Mental wellness is a journey and each step counts.”