Wellpoint Continues Partnership with Boston Center Charlie Coyle, 98.5 The Sports Hub, State Police Association of Massachusetts, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, and Local Police to Raise Awareness Around First Responder Mental Health
March 26, 2024
WOBURN, MASS. – Every day, first responders face off against dangerous situations in the line of duty. These high-stress situations day after day can take a toll on their well-being and mental health. That’s why Wellpoint (formerly UniCare), a health benefits company in Massachusetts, has joined forces with 98.5 The Sports Hub Bruins Radio Network and hometown hockey star Charlie Coyle for Face-Offs for First Responders to highlight the mental health resources available to our first responder community.
“We’re honored to once again partner with firefighters, state police, local police, 98.5 The Sports Hub, and Charlie Coyle to remind all first responders that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health,” said David Morales, General Manager of Wellpoint. “As a health benefits plan supporting Massachusetts state and municipal employees, retirees, and their families, Wellpoint will continue to enable our members’ whole health – their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being – and this campaign is designed to remind them about the care and resources available to them.”
Wellpoint has also joined forces with the State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM), the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM), New England Police Benevolent Association, the Springfield Police Supervisors Association, and their leadership to encourage their members to talk to someone or use the many resources available to them through their unions. Every day these brave men and women respond to traumatic and life-threatening calls – they’re often exposed to things they can’t easily forget – and over time this can impact their mental health. It’s important for them to know it’s ok to reach out and seek support. In order to best serve their communities, they must first take care of themselves, their families, and their fellow first responders.
“The daily performance of our duties has a significant impact on the mental health of first responders. For our members to understand they are not alone and can talk to someone or admit that they are struggling lifts an enormous burden off of them and their families. For many, seeking help can be a difficult task, particularly after a critical incident. This campaign will encourage them to reach out and take advantage of the numerous resources available. That alone is a tremendous help, and is why we are humbled and appreciative to partner again with Wellpoint, Charlie Coyle, the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, and 98.5 The Sports Hub to bring awareness to the mental health of first responders throughout the Commonwealth,” said Brian Williams, President, State Police Association of Massachusetts.
“We’re honored to continue our partnership with Charlie Coyle, Wellpoint, 98.5 The Sports Hub, and our brothers and sisters in law enforcement to bring to light what first responders deal with every day in the line of duty. Often these calls are traumatic and can affect their mental health. The PFFM has made firefighter behavioral health and member assistance a priority – so we just want them to know it’s ok to ask for help. We have many great resources available and ready for you. If you need help ... please ask for it,” said Rich MacKinnon, President, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts.
Charlie Coyle has joined on as a campaign spokesman to give back and honor the many great first responders he knows having grown up here on the South Shore and playing for the Boston Bruins. He wants to provide a message of hope and support to all the great men and women first responders.
“Growing up in Weymouth – I have many friends and family who are first responders who've taken the oath to protect and serve their communities. So it’s an amazing honor for me to team up again with Wellpoint, the State Police Association of Massachusetts, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and 98.5 The Sports Hub Bruins Radio Network to highlight the mental health resources available to them. We want them to know it’s okay to talk to someone – there’s hope in getting help,” said Charlie Coyle, Boston Bruins Center.
This season, Boston agency Athlete-Driven Worldwide has expanded the program with Wellpoint by joining forces with sports equipment leader Franklin Sports for a community giveback with Charlie Coyle to educate youth about the many benefits playing sports can have on their mental health by encouraging social connections, teaching teamwork and building self-esteem. For every Boston Face-Off Win, Wellpoint donates $15, up to $15,000, to provide street hockey equipment to children in 15 Massachusetts cities or towns to get them to get out and play. Franklin Sports will provide $1,000 gift cards to purchase street hockey equipment.
“Franklin Sports is proud to be a partner in this year’s Face-Offs for First Responders Program,” said Eve Stire, Brand Partnerships Manager at Franklin Sports. “At Franklin, we believe that sports make life better, so to be involved in a program, in our own backyard, that emphasizes the importance of mental health and social connections for our youth, while getting them moving, playing, and competing through the sport of hockey is very rewarding.”
Learn more about the program at www.985thesportshub.com/firstresponders.
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About Wellpoint:
Wellpoint is a health benefits company with deep, long-standing roots in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, serving Group Insurance Commission (GIC) members, retirees, and their families for more than 30 years. Wellpoint provides health benefits exclusively to people insured through the GIC, offering a variety of plan options that provide comprehensive medical benefits. All of our plans also include coverage for prescription drugs and behavioral health services. Administrative services for the plan are provided by Wellpoint Life & Health Insurance Company. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is solely responsible for determination of eligibility and payment of any amounts due under the plan. For more information, go to www.unicaremass.com.
About Franklin Sports:
Founded by Irving Franklin in 1946, Franklin Sports is a Stoughton, Massachusetts-based sporting goods brand that manufactures and sells over 10,000 products across many different categories. Franklin Sports is proud of its partnerships with Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, USA Pickleball, Pro Volleyball Federation and Hasbro’s Nerf brand including the leagues’ youth participation programs. Franklin also works with hundreds of elite athletes through sports equipment and apparel collaborations. Franklin is a multigenerational, family-owned business with a rich history and trusted reputation as a quality sporting goods brand – from recreational sports all the way up to the professional level – has made it one of the perennial leaders in the industry. At Franklin Sports, the team believes that sports make life better. Driven by Franklin’s passion to get people moving, playing, and competing, the Franklin mission is to bring sports to life for athletes of all ages. Whether designing a product for a World Series MVP or a child enjoying their first swings of the bat, Franklin Sports is dedicated to making sports inspiring, fun and accessible for all. For more information on Franklin Sports, please visit www.franklinsports.com or follow Franklin on Instagram @franklinsports, @franklinsportseqp, and @franklinpickleball, Facebook, and Twitter @franklinsports.
About Athlete-Driven Worldwide:
Athlete-Driven Worldwide is a full-service marketing agency where athletes are at the center. As a one-stop shop for creating relevant content, ADW uses media partnerships, sponsorship activations, and team rights to bring athlete stories to life. For more information, please visit www.athlete-driven.com.
