If you look closely at the helmet of many of our teams, you will see a sticker with a green ribbon and a BTR logo. We all play for something bigger than ourselves. THIS IS OUR CAUSE!
Nick Bales, part of a Denver, CO hockey family, built a brand and a movement. For what, you ask? Nick was a high schooler, and a hockey player. He struggled with anxiety and depression, which is an epidemic amongst our young kids these days. To help himself cope while in high school, Nick build a brand called Brought To Reality – BTR. He started an apparel business with the BTR logo, in an effort to bring awareness to teen mental health and to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.
We are all hockey players, right? We are all supposed to be strong, to be competitive, to hide pain, to be leaders. We are taught to fight through adversity, to “man-up”, to shake it off, and to get back in the play. This is okay when it is physical pain (blocking a shot, taking a big hit), because we all know the difference between “hurt” and “injured”. But what happens when it is a mental struggle? Are we too stubborn to reach out for help, or are we man enough to admit that mental struggle is something that can’t just be ignored? Do we keep this inside, hidden from those around us, or are we strong enough to share this with some trusted source – a parent, a family member, a friend, a teammate? Most importantly, Nick strived to encourage compassion among his peers. In his college essay, Nick wrote: “We should all help each other get through the difficult times.”
Unfortunately, Nick did not have the opportunity to attend college because he lost his battle against mental illness on September 29, 2018. Why is this important to us? Nick would be coming upon the conclusion of his college hockey career this very year. Many of his friends, his teammates, would be competing with and against him at one of our BMHC hockey programs. Now, many of them are completing their college hockey careers. He is one of us, and he has left us a very important legacy – SAY SOMETHING, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Our goal is to get this simple helmet sticker or the BTR wristband everywhere. This movement is spanning the country.
All BMHC teams wear this sticker on their helmets. Now, in just 2 years, over 46 ACHA Hockey Teams around the country wear this sticker, and over 90+ athletic teams. It is our role in this to spread his message, to keep his memory alive, and to end the stigma surrounding this mental health challenge. Nick’s message is simple: “MY GOAL IS TO ENCOURAGE MY PEERS TO BE TRUE TO THEMSELVES, TO STAY GROUNDED IN REALITY, AND TO NOT NUMB THEMSELVES WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH”.
Are you strong enough to be that trusted source for your brother or sister, your classmate or teammate? Are you struggling with similar issues of anxiety and depression and need that trusted source yourself?
Check out the Website (https://broughttoreality.com/) to learn more about Nick, his mission, the foundation started by his family in Nick’s name, and help us make this wave go across the country. You might be surprised to see how many professional athletes are involved. It is up to us to do our part. Brought to Reality is currently run by the Bales family with the hopes to continue Nick’s dreams to erase the stigma on mental health. 100% of the BTR’s profits support youth mental health awareness and financially assists those in need of therapy. To date, the Bales Family has contributed over $176,000 and has provided over 2084 Therapy Sessions to those in need! If BTR can save just one life, then we have succeeded. It just could be yours.
