Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV), the quick, easy, trusted leader in preventive automotive maintenance, today announced it is partnering with student athletes from Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee to encourage mental wellbeing and share the sentiment of "Protect What Matters" during Suicide Prevention Month.
"At Valvoline Inc., we understand how important regular preventive maintenance is to protect your vehicle," said Laura Carpenter, Chief Customer Officer, 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."
Carnell Tate, wide receiver for Ohio State University, as well as University of Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens and basketball forward Cade Phillips will be sharing their mental health tips and messages. 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 found that men working in auto repair and maintenance service positions have a suicide rate double that of those working in other industries. Valvoline Inc. employs more than 11,000 people across its 1,000 company-owned Valvoline Instant Oil Change and Great Canadian Oil Change service centers and is focusing its community involvement and corporate donations on efforts that reduce mental health stigmas and drive better mental health outcomes.
Earlier this year, the company partnered with KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky to provide Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) training for KVC Kentucky clinicians. Valvoline Inc. plans to announce additional mental health partnerships in the coming weeks.
Valvoline Inc. worked closely on the NIL activities with Learfield's corporate development team in conjunction with Ohio State Sports Properties and The Vol Network, the locally based teams of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college athletics.