Column: May deaths of Katie, Sarah and Lauren not be in vain
FILE - "LB #22," in honor of James Madison softball catcher Lauren Bernett, is written on the infield behind Liberty pitcher Emily Kirby, right, during an NCAA college softball game against Tennessee at Liberty Softball Stadium in Lynchburg, Va., April 27, 2022. There has been a lot of talk about the mental health struggles that many young athletes face, the pressures and vulnerabilities that can seem overwhelming — especially to those who feel compelled to shield their pain from the outside world. (Kendall Warner/The News & Advance via AP, File)

FILE - "LB #22," in honor of James Madison softball catcher Lauren Bernett, is written on the infield behind Liberty pitcher Emily Kirby, right, during an NCAA college softball game against Tennessee at Liberty Softball Stadium in Lynchburg, Va., April 27, 2022. There has been a lot of talk about the mental health struggles that many young athletes face, the pressures and vulnerabilities that can seem overwhelming — especially to those who feel compelled to shield their pain from the outside world. (Kendall Warner/The News & Advance via AP, File)

Apr. 29, 2022 05:44 PM EDT
FILE - Stanford players huddle before an NCAA college basketball game against Oregon State while wearing warmup shirts honoring the school's soccer team goalkeeper Katie Meyer, who helped Stanford win a national championship, in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 women's tournament, March 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. There has been a lot of talk about the mental health struggles that many young athletes face, the pressures and vulnerabilities that can seem overwhelming — especially to those who feel compelled to shield their pain from the outside world. (AP Photo/David Becker, File)

FILE - Stanford players huddle before an NCAA college basketball game against Oregon State while wearing warmup shirts honoring the school's soccer team goalkeeper Katie Meyer, who helped Stanford win a national championship, in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 women's tournament, March 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. There has been a lot of talk about the mental health struggles that many young athletes face, the pressures and vulnerabilities that can seem overwhelming — especially to those who feel compelled to shield their pain from the outside world. (AP Photo/David Becker, File)

Apr. 29, 2022 05:46 PM EDT
FILE - Stanford guard Haley Jones wears tape on her wrist with "KM19," honoring the school's soccer team goalkeeper Katie Meyer, while driving the ball against Oregon State during an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 women's tournament March 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. There has been a lot of talk about the mental health struggles that many young athletes face, the pressures and vulnerabilities that can seem overwhelming — especially to those who feel compelled to shield their pain from the outside world. (AP Photo/David Becker, File)

FILE - Stanford guard Haley Jones wears tape on her wrist with "KM19," honoring the school's soccer team goalkeeper Katie Meyer, while driving the ball against Oregon State during an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 women's tournament March 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. There has been a lot of talk about the mental health struggles that many young athletes face, the pressures and vulnerabilities that can seem overwhelming — especially to those who feel compelled to shield their pain from the outside world. (AP Photo/David Becker, File)

Apr. 29, 2022 05:47 PM EDT
FILE - "LB #22," in honor of James Madison softball catcher Lauren Bernett, is written on the infield behind Liberty pitcher Emily Kirby during an NCAA college softball game against Tennessee at Liberty Softball Stadium in Lynchburg, Va., April 27, 2022. There has been a lot of talk about the mental health struggles that many young athletes face, the pressures and vulnerabilities that can seem overwhelming — especially to those who feel compelled to shield their pain from the outside world. (Kendall Warner/The News & Advance via AP, File)

FILE - "LB #22," in honor of James Madison softball catcher Lauren Bernett, is written on the infield behind Liberty pitcher Emily Kirby during an NCAA college softball game against Tennessee at Liberty Softball Stadium in Lynchburg, Va., April 27, 2022. There has been a lot of talk about the mental health struggles that many young athletes face, the pressures and vulnerabilities that can seem overwhelming — especially to those who feel compelled to shield their pain from the outside world. (Kendall Warner/The News & Advance via AP, File)

Apr. 29, 2022 05:43 PM EDT