Indiana University Distinguished Professor of Sociology Bernice Pescosolido has been named the inaugural Jim Irsay Mental Health Champion by the Indianapolis Colts and its Kicking the Stigma initiative. The award, established in memory of the late Colts owner Jim Irsay, honors individuals or organizations that demonstrate significant commitment to mental health awareness, support, and advocacy.
Pescosolido serves as director of IU’s Irsay Institute, which fosters research at the intersection of health and social sciences with a focus on mental health and stigma. She is also a scientific adviser for Kicking the Stigma.
“In addition to being one of the world’s foremost experts on stigma in mental health and a dedicated professor at IU, Bernice has been an invaluable resource to Kicking the Stigma and our efforts to change the dialogue around mental health,” said Kalen Jackson, Colts co-owner, chief brand officer and president of the Colts Foundation. “Her work focuses on discovering evidence-based solutions to the mental health challenges faced by so many of our friends and neighbors, and she is more than deserving of this recognition.”
Pescosolido began major research into mental health stigma in 1996, leading studies that contributed to national discussions such as those found in reports from the U.S. Surgeon General and events like the 2013 White House Conference on Mental Health. She also advises initiatives aimed at reducing mental health stigma both nationally and internationally. In addition to her role at IU’s Irsay Institute—which was founded in 2021 with support from the Irsay family—she is founding director of both the Indiana Consortium for Mental Health Services Research and the institute itself.
“Bernice’s recognition as the inaugural Jim Irsay Mental Health Champion is a testament to her groundbreaking research and the extraordinary impact she has had on this critical issue,” said IU President Pamela Whitten. “IU is committed to advancing mental health education and care, and we are grateful for Bernice’s leadership, advocacy and dedication to improving the lives of countless individuals and families in Indiana and beyond.”
Upon receiving her award—a glass sculpture inspired by the Colts horseshoe—at Kicking the Stigma’s annual fundraising event on October 3 in Indianapolis, Pescosolido commented on its significance: “I think any light that shines on this, if it can change one person’s ideas or have one person seek help, that’s great.”
She noted that about half of Americans hold prejudices against people with mental illness based on findings from national studies conducted at Indiana University.
Jim Irsay launched Kicking the Stigma alongside his daughters in 2020 as part of efforts linked with My Cause My Cleats program by NFL teams. Since then, more than $32 million has been pledged toward treatment expansion, research funding, public awareness campaigns statewide and nationally.
“I don’t think there’s any group that has shown more courage in standing up against the stigma of mental illness than the Colts franchise, and in particular for Jim Irsay himself to come out of the shadows and talk about his experience,” Pescosolido said. “I think it means a great deal to people who face mental health challenges and their families.”
Reflecting on her career path as a medical sociologist focused increasingly on how people cope with various problems—including those related to mental health—Pescosolido added: “The more I got into it, the more I realized that mental health needs champions.” She also pointed out that World Mental Health Day falls on October 10.
According to Pescosolido’s research observations at IU Bloomington’s Irsay Institute, while rates for experiencing serious psychological distress are similar across demographics nationwide—including gender identity—mental illness receives significantly less financial support compared with other diseases such as cancer.
“The more I saw how unfair the playing field is for people, families and communities that face mental health problems, the more I wanted to help or to do something that would be useful,” Pescosolido said.
