Valvoline Partners with Student Athletes to Promote Mental Health Awareness Initiative

Valvoline Partners with Student Athletes for Mental Health Awareness Initiative

Valvoline Inc. takes an important step in promoting mental health awareness through a new partnership with student athletes from Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee. This collaboration coincides with Suicide Prevention Month and is framed around the theme "Protect What Matters." Laura Carpenter, Valvoline’s Chief Customer Officer, stresses the dual focus on vehicle maintenance and mental health, underscoring the company’s dedication to raising awareness about these pressing issues. With the alarming statistic that men in the auto repair and maintenance sector face a suicide rate double that of other industries, Valvoline's initiative seeks to address mental health stigma and improve overall outcomes in this vulnerable community.

The initiative features athletes Carnell Tate, Karlyn Pickens, and Cade Phillips, who will share mental health tips through their social media platforms. For each post shared, Valvoline pledges to donate $1 to Nationwide Children's Hospital and East Tennessee Children's Hospital, up to a total of $5,000 for each organization. This campaign not only engages the community but also leverages the influence of college athletes to foster constructive conversations about mental health. Valvoline's proactive stance aligns with its broader commitment to societal wellbeing, as evidenced by its previous collaboration with KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky, which focused on suicide prevention training for clinicians.

Valvoline operates over 2,100 service centers across the U.S. and Canada, performing more than 28 million services annually. The company’s emphasis on mental health aligns with its overall mission of preventive automotive maintenance and community support. With more mental health-focused partnerships on the horizon, Valvoline aims to continue its advocacy for mental health awareness, contributing to a culture of support and understanding within the automotive industry and beyond. This initiative not only highlights Valvoline's commitment to its employees and community but also positions the company as a leader in fostering discussions around mental health issues.

In addition to its mental health initiatives, Valvoline remains committed to enhancing customer experience through innovative services in automotive care. With a workforce of over 11,000 employees, the company recognizes the importance of supporting its staff's wellbeing as a critical component of operational success. By addressing both mental health and automotive maintenance, Valvoline reinforces its position as a responsible corporate entity in today's society.