USC Trojans soccer participant Caleb Williams helps produce PSA on psychological well being consciousness

USC quarterback Caleb Williams on Tuesday unveiled a Public Service Announcement targeted on addressing psychological well being.

Williams and a workforce of fellow USC communications college students produced and filmed a nationwide PSA targeted on spreading psychological well being consciousness.

“I used to be attempting to determine a greater technique to attain out and assist any approach and assault one thing that is not being attacked as aggressively because it ought to,” Williams instructed ESPN.

The PSA is named Seize the Awkward, and Williams’ participation is indicative of how he plans to deal with psychological well being points all through his profession. The business is anticipated to run nationally.

It represents an evolution in Williams’ advocacy as his platform grows. Final 12 months, Williams mentioned he painted his fingernails with the suicide prevention quantity as a technique to unfold consciousness. That is the subsequent step, which incorporates him starring in a 2 minute, 40 second business whereas reflecting on his personal emotions on psychological well being.

“I need to be a voice, be a brother for whoever is coping with (psychological well being) challenges,” Williams mentioned. “I am not completely different. All of us undergo some struggles. Relying on who you’re you, you’re taking issues completely different. I am attempting to be there for whoever I can.”

Williams mentioned he hopes the message spreads to a large viewers. He acknowledged that psychological well being points minimize throughout all components of society.

“We do get the concept that soccer gamers must be robust or this and that,” Williams mentioned. “I am nonetheless human. My proper guard and left sort out are nonetheless human, and people are the baddest dudes on the soccer area. We’re all human.”

Your entire undertaking is a collaboration of American Basis for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the Jed Basis (which focuses on emotional well being and suicide prevention for younger adults), the Advert Council and Caleb Cares, which is Williams’ charitable group.

Williams mentioned he just lately transferred into USC’s Annenberg College for Communication and Journalism, and he mentioned it was “superior” to assist college students and colleagues there produce one thing “close to and pricey to my coronary heart.”

“This was a connect-the-dots undertaking for us — the Advert Council is one in every of our most important trade companions, Caleb is a celebrity pupil athlete, and psychological well being is a key precedence for our faculty neighborhood,” mentioned Willow Bay, dean of the Annenberg College. “Having USC Annenberg college students collaborate with Caleb to extend consciousness round psychological well being is the proper kickoff.”

Williams is the beginning quarterback at USC after transferring this offseason from Oklahoma. He opened the season with 249 yards passing and two touchdowns in a blowout of Rice.