The Line Up: A Conversation with Erin Slinde

Derek Gold is a passionate mental health advocate and member of Towson University's golf team. He is originally from Clarksville, Maryland. Derek has been outspoken about his experiences with mental health, and how physical injury has affected his wellbeing. He hosts The Line-Up alongside friend and fellow collegiate athlete, Ben Ruvo.

Ben Ruvo is a student-athlete at Washington College on the East Coast of Maryland and founder of OpenMindGymm — a mental health advocacy group for student athletes. Through his organization, he is hoping to spread awareness of mental challenges faced by today's college students and help fund nonprofits who are making a difference in the space.

College athletes have a lot on their plate — maintaining good grades, making it to early-morning practices, traveling to games, attempting to have a social life. Amidst it all, mental health often gets forgotten. Ben Ruvo and Derek Gold want to change that.

After fighting their own battles with anxiety and depression, the two college athletes are looking to change the way mental health is addressed in highly competitive athletic spaces. Join them for an ongoing Q&A series featuring fellow athletes, coaches and advocates breaking down their personal experiences and offering advice for young people battling similar challenges.