Find Hope Franklin Mental Health Summit

This event will include inspiring keynote speakers, community resources & actionable tools for schools, families, and professionals. The program is designed for educators, parents, students, mental health professionals, community leaders, advocates, faith-based leaders and YOU!

Among those who will speak during the event are Ben Zobrist, former professional baseball second baseman and outfielder who played in three World Series and won the last two, becoming a two-time World Series champion in consecutive seasons of 2015 with the Royals and 2016 with the Cubs. He was the World Series MVP in 2016.

He has been open about his personal mental health struggle, including anxiety and depression, which he experienced at different points during his MLB career, particularly after the 2016 World Series. To address these challenges and the challenges faced by other athletes, Zobrist founded Champion Forward in 2023, an initiative dedicated to supporting the mental and emotional well-being of young athletes, their families, and coaches. He advocates for addressing mental health in sports by raising awareness, reducing stigma, and providing resources rooted in his Christian faith.

There will also be vendors from area mental health organizations to talk about their services.

Tickets for the event are $20 per person, although some tickets are available for those unable to pay the ticket price.

The event is presented by Find Hope Franklin, a mental health initiative started in 2020 by Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore that now includes dozens of organizations and individuals looking to combat the stigma associated with mental health discussions and access to services.

Info: Dr. Ken Moore, Mayor of Franklin is the 31st Mayor and second physician to head the City of Franklin. Ken practiced orthopedic surgery for more than 28 years and gained recognition on a state and national level as a leader. In May 2012, Mayor Moore was given the Leadership in Regional Thinking and Action Award at the Power of Ten Summit. He was recognized as the Tennessee Mayor of the Year in 2018 by the Tennessee Municipal League. The Greater Nashville Regional Council has recognized him twice with the Hank Thompson Award for leadership and integrity. He currently serves on the Pollution Control Board and the Opioid Abatement Council for the State of Tennessee.

Info: Join us for a panel discussion with Dr. Kristen Gilliland and John Harrison of Champion Forward. Dr. Gilliland is director of the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, which researches new treatments for schizophrenia. In 2019, Kristen tragically lost her 22-year old son to an accidental overdose. Her son’s addiction to opioids and stimulants followed soon after he was diagnosed with cannabis-induced psychosis at the age of 17. After her unimaginable loss, Kristen changed the trajectory of her life to utilize her scientific teaching, and research background to educate adolescent-aged children and their parents about mental health struggles and addiction. John Harrison is VP at Champions Forward. a non-profit organization that helps teenage athletes, parents, and coaches process the feelings, normalize the failures, and manage the fame that comes with the sports experience. Josiah Holland is Principal of the Alternative Learning Center, Williamson County Schools.

Info: Ben is a former Major League Baseball player and two-time World Series champion (including the 2016 World Series MVP). As a player, he was renowned for his versatility, consistency, and leadership. Over his 14-year career, Ben played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago Cubs, earning three All-Star selections. Known for his ability to play multiple positions effectively, he brought a unique blend of skill and adaptability to the game.
During his playing career, Ben faced many challenges including physical injuries and mental health issues. After retiring from baseball, he decided to focus his time, energy and attention on learning more about the mental and emotional side of being human. This led him to launch Champion Forward, allowing him to live out his passion of positively impacting and serving the sports community.
As a mental and emotional health advocate, Ben is committed to sharing his story and empowering others to learn, grow and heal.

Host or Publisher Franklin Tomorrow