Valvoline Inc. Partners with Ohio, Tennessee Universities for Mental Health Awareness

Valvoline Inc. is partnering with student athletes from Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee to encourage mental wellbeing during Suicide Prevention Month, as shared in a recent press release.

Mental health tips and messages will be shared through social media posts by Carnell Tate, wide receiver for Ohio State University; Karlyn Pickens, University of Tennessee softball pitcher; and Cade Phillips, basketball forward for University of Tennessee.

For every share the posts receive, $1 will be donated to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee; up to $5,000 each.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control has shown that men working in auto repair and maintenance service positions have a suicide rate double that of those working in other industries. Valvoline has reacted with more efforts to promote mental wellbeing, including partnering with KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky earlier this year to provide Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality training for KVC Kentucky clinicians. It plans to announce additional mental health partnerships in the coming weeks as well.

“At Valvoline Inc., we understand how important regular preventive maintenance is to protect your vehicle,” said Laura Carpenter, chief customer officer for Valvoline Inc. “During Suicide Prevention Month and throughout the year, we want people to protect their mental health, too. We're excited to partner with student athletes from Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee to help bring awareness to the importance of taking care of your mental health.”