USC quarterback Caleb Williams knows he needs his team both on and off the field
The sophomore transfer is the latest celebrity to star in the “Seize the Awkward” national campaign encouraging fans to embrace mental health and keep a circle of friends in their corner.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month and marks the return to school. “Seize the Awkward” is a project by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Jed Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes mental health awareness.
“Pressure doesn’t have to be carried alone,” Williams said in the video. “What if we came together as a team?”
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The PSA starts with the many headlines of the news that Williams followed head coach Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma to the Trojans football program. The rapid layering of screenshots and voiceovers of news anchors simulates the pressure the quarterback might feel.
“When the stadium lights are dimmed, when the cameras stop flashing, when the pads are off, the pressure sinks in and it’s just me,” Williams said. “Just me in a world of expectation.”
He then pondered “one of the more tougher times in” his life. Williams’ freshman year as a Sooner, he took a heavy course load and sat on the bench. Even when he achieved his dream of playing college football, a loss to Oklahoma State where he was sacked six times was another low moment.
“I kind of turned off social media, Twitter, Instagram, anything like that and focused on what I like to do and my support system, my team, my teammates,” he said.
The “Seize the Awkward” campaign was started in 2018 and is meant to encourage young adults to talk to their friends about how they’re feeling. Previous spots featured musicians Billie Eilish and Aminé and influencer Orion Carloto. The campaign also utilizes social media to provide tips on how to be a good listener and check in on others.
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“Working with fellow USC students and the Seize the Awkward team on this PSA allowed me to share how important mental health awareness is in my life, especially through my experiences as a student-athlete,” Williams said in a statement.
The latest campaign video was produced by students at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
The message is especially important for college students as the additional stress of the COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need for mental health awareness.
“All indicators show how needed this campaign and message are during this time,” AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia said. “AFSP thanks Caleb Williams and the USC team for creating the video and encouraging young people to continue supporting each other and staying connected. That support for one another will save lives.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline which provides confidential 24/7 support by dialing 9-8-8.
