Dr. Deanna Nobleza is the first-ever mental health director for the Philadelphia Phillies, tasked with taking care of the players and coaches’ mental well-being. She emphasizes the importance of mental health as part of overall health, especially in a demanding lifestyle like professional baseball with its rigorous travel schedule and time away from families. Despite some initial concerns about the stigma of mental health, Nobleza has found that there is a willingness among the team to embrace mental health initiatives and seek help when needed.
In her second season, Nobleza has started sessions with players and coaches to address the pressures of playing in Philly and other mental health issues that may arise. She hopes that her work will pave the way for other women to enter similar roles in professional sports. She encourages athletes to seek help when needed and sees asking for help as a brave and beneficial step towards improving performance on and off the field.