Pinion Newswire
Rochester, NY
Fox Sports Radio Rochester’s What’s Going On, The Ryan Show, and New Solutions Network (NSN) have announced the launch of a collaborative mental health outreach and suicide prevention initiative. The campaign, which leverages both national and regional media platforms, aims to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and connect audiences with vital mental health resources.
This initiative comes at a crucial time, as January is one of the highest-risk months for suicide, particularly among men and high-performing individuals. It is also a period when the public is often left grieving sudden losses, especially when someone admired and successful dies unexpectedly, prompting families, teammates, and fans to ask: How could this happen?
At the heart of the campaign is a public service announcement voiced by Natanya Wachtel, behavioral scientist, mental health expert, and a trusted voice across multiple NSN programs, including The Natanya Experience and Psych & Hip Hop. The PSA encourages listeners to have open conversations about mental health and directs those in need to confidential support through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or Text 988).
“We are still dangerously attached to the myth that success protects people from suffering,” said Wachtel. “I’ve worked with elite athletes, military leaders, and high-performing individuals who are admired and celebrated, yet privately drowning. The pressure to ‘hold it together’ can be lethal. Mental health isn’t separate from performance or identity; it is the foundation. This initiative exists to interrupt silence before it turns into loss.”
By incorporating mental health messages into mainstream sports and talk radio, the campaign connects with audiences in the spaces they already trust, challenging the false belief that strength means isolation.
What’s Going On, hosted by Nate Brown Jr., Greg Vaughn, and Ryan Verneuille, has long been recognized for blending sports, culture, and real-world conversations. This outreach reflects the show’s continued commitment to addressing the human toll of competition, performance, and unspoken pain.
“In sports, you’re trained to push through both physical and mental pain,” said Vaughn. “But what we don’t teach enough is how to speak up when the weight gets heavy. I’ve seen firsthand how silence can cost lives. If this conversation helps even one person realize they’re not weak for asking for help, then it matters.”
Ryan Verneuille, host of The Ryan Show and Media Director at New Solutions Network, emphasized the role of broadcasters in these moments.
“When someone the public looks up to dies by suicide, the ripple effect is enormous,” said Verneuille. “Fans grieve, families are shattered, and too often the conversation stops at shock instead of moving toward understanding. We believe media can do better and must.”
What Friends and Family Can Do
The initiative emphasizes that warning signs of mental distress can be subtle, especially among high-functioning individuals. Loved ones are encouraged to:
- Check in directly, even when someone appears “fine”
- Take changes in behavior, withdrawal, or emotional flatness seriously
- Normalize asking for help rather than offering solutions
- Stay present after major life transitions, injuries, or public scrutiny
What Fans and Communities Can Do
Fans and audiences also play a critical role:
- Avoid speculation or oversimplified narratives after a loss
- Share resources like 988 instead of rumors
- Support conversations that humanize suffering rather than idolize it
- Remember that public success does not equal private safety
Campaign Elements Include
- On-air PSAs across Fox Sports Radio Rochester and The Ryan Show
- Digital and social media outreach via New Solutions Network platforms
- Visual campaign assets directing audiences to 988
- Ongoing integration of mental health dialogue across NSN programming
The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) is available 24/7, offering free, confidential support for anyone experiencing emotional distress or crisis.
This initiative reflects a shared belief held by Fox Sports Radio Rochester, The Ryan Show, and New Solutions Network: no one should suffer alone, and asking for help is not a failure of strength, but an act of survival. If you or someone you love needs support, call or text 988. Help is always available.
Why January Matters
January consistently ranks among the highest-risk months for suicide, particularly for men and high-performing individuals. Post-holiday isolation, financial stress, injuries, identity loss, and abrupt changes in routine can intensify existing mental health challenges. For athletes and public figures, these pressures are often compounded by expectations to remain strong, productive, and composed, making it harder to seek help when needed most.
Mental health experts emphasize that visibility, achievement, and access to resources do not eliminate risk. Proactive conversations, direct check-ins, and easy access to crisis support are critical during this period.
About Fox Sports Radio Rochester / What’s Going On
For over two decades, What’s Going On has served as a trusted voice for the Rochester community, delivering authentic conversations at the intersection of sports, culture, and real life. Broadcasting every Sunday morning on Fox Sports 1280 AM, the show has become a staple in Western New York media. Hosted by Nate Brown Jr., Greg Vaughn, and Ryan Verneuille, the show blends meaningful discussions with powerful insights into the impact of sports, culture, and personal experience.
About The Ryan Show
Founded by Ryan Verneuille, The Ryan Show has become a platform that blends entertainment and thought-provoking discussion. Known for its ability to tackle controversial topics with nuance, the show aims to foster understanding by exploring deeper societal issues, particularly around culture and mental health. Broadcast on over 150 radio stations nationwide, The Ryan Show continues to be a space for humor, music, and meaningful dialogue.
About New Solutions Network (NSN)
New Solutions Network (NSN) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to advancing mental health, media, and behavioral science. Founded by Natanya Wachtel, NSN is a global movement focused on mental wellness, media, and transformation. The organization blends behavioral science with storytelling to create impactful solutions for human and enterprise transformation.
About Natanya Wachtel
Natanya Wachtel is the founder of New Solutions Network, a movement at the intersection of mental wellness and media. With over two decades of experience, Wachtel works directly with high-stakes individuals, blending neuroscience with integrative practices to help people unlock human potential under pressure.
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