10/22/2026 9:25:00 AM | General
Virtual support available for all student-athletes across 17 programs
Marquette University Athletics has announced a partnership with Onrise, a virtual, athlete-focused mental health provider, to expand the mental health resources available to its nearly 350 student-athletes.
"By combining Marquette Athletics student-athlete-first philosophy with Onrise and our current mental health services, we are expanding the resources and support our student-athletes need to navigate the demands of collegiate athletics and life beyond competition," Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Kenny Wilka said. "Our student-athletes deserve care that meets them where they are and supports who they are."
This collaboration enhances the department's existing support and supplements the work of its on-campus staff members.
"I believe this partnership will greatly benefit our student-athletes by expanding access to mental health services and resources and providing additional ways for them to seek support," Director of Student-Athlete Mental Health and Sports Performance Kari Lewis said. "Our hope as a department is to reach student-athletes who may not otherwise take that first step toward seeking help, offering them a platform where they can connect with resources at their own pace and access support beyond traditional hours.
"With the peer support component, I trust that connecting our athletes with those who have navigated similar experiences, whether recovering from an injury, managing identity concerns, or navigating the pressures of collegiate athletics, can help our student-athletes feel understood and less alone," Lewis added.
Onrise offers four types of specialized care for student-athletes:
"We understand the evolving demands of college athletics, and we believe the strongest model is one that empowers existing teams to thrive while ensuring athletes have the support they need, whenever they need it," Furlow Jr. added. "When we strengthen the people and systems supporting athletes, we create an environment where athletes can thrive and that's what makes this partnership so meaningful."
ABOUT ONRISE
Onrise was founded by a psychiatrist and mother of elite athletes as well as a retired athlete dedicated to helping former athletes who've seen firsthand the unique challenges today's athletes face. Its mission is to make comprehensive care for today's athletes more accessible, affordable and tailored by recreating proven, effective systems at elite youth, college, and professional levels.
"By combining Marquette Athletics student-athlete-first philosophy with Onrise and our current mental health services, we are expanding the resources and support our student-athletes need to navigate the demands of collegiate athletics and life beyond competition," Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Kenny Wilka said. "Our student-athletes deserve care that meets them where they are and supports who they are."
This collaboration enhances the department's existing support and supplements the work of its on-campus staff members.
"I believe this partnership will greatly benefit our student-athletes by expanding access to mental health services and resources and providing additional ways for them to seek support," Director of Student-Athlete Mental Health and Sports Performance Kari Lewis said. "Our hope as a department is to reach student-athletes who may not otherwise take that first step toward seeking help, offering them a platform where they can connect with resources at their own pace and access support beyond traditional hours.
"With the peer support component, I trust that connecting our athletes with those who have navigated similar experiences, whether recovering from an injury, managing identity concerns, or navigating the pressures of collegiate athletics, can help our student-athletes feel understood and less alone," Lewis added.
Onrise offers four types of specialized care for student-athletes:
- Athlete Peer Support: Delivered by former collegiate and professional athletes who are trained to provide peer guidance, mental performance strategies, and support for navigating both sport and life.
- Therapy: Onrise's licensed mental health clinicians specialize in working with student-athletes and offer both therapeutic care and mental performance services. The clinical team is licensed in all 50 states.
- Licensed Psychiatric Care: Licensed psychiatrists are available to provide medication evaluation and management for student-athletes who need additional support.
- Peer Support, Therapy + Psychiatric Care & Nutrition
"We understand the evolving demands of college athletics, and we believe the strongest model is one that empowers existing teams to thrive while ensuring athletes have the support they need, whenever they need it," Furlow Jr. added. "When we strengthen the people and systems supporting athletes, we create an environment where athletes can thrive and that's what makes this partnership so meaningful."
ABOUT ONRISE
Onrise was founded by a psychiatrist and mother of elite athletes as well as a retired athlete dedicated to helping former athletes who've seen firsthand the unique challenges today's athletes face. Its mission is to make comprehensive care for today's athletes more accessible, affordable and tailored by recreating proven, effective systems at elite youth, college, and professional levels.
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