New Legislation Supports Student Mental Health and Wellness at California Colleges and Universities
Katie Meyer’s Law (AB 1575) Signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom
On Saturday, September 28th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1575 into law.
With support from Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, the legislation, also known as “Katie Meyer’s Law,” allows students attending California’s public colleges and universities to select an adviser to assist them during disciplinary proceedings should they arise. The adviser could be a parent, coach, peer, professor, or other trusted presence who will be provided training on the institution’s policies, receive notifications, and have the ability to participate alongside the student throughout the disciplinary process.
Existing state law fails to require colleges to allow students an adviser at all during proceedings -leaving them to navigate distressing circumstances and potential ramifications without support. Therefore, students without the means to retain legal representation or access to trusted resources or mental health supports, are left nearly rudderless during particularly stressful interactions with college or university leadership.
The legislation was prompted by the untimely passing of Katie Meyer, who captained Stanford University’s women’s soccer team and helped lead the team to victory as their goalie in 2022. Only months prior to her graduation from Stanford, Katie was found deceased in her dorm room. She died by suicide. Her parents, Gina and Steve, subsequently co-founded Katie’s Save to promote student safety and well-being and to hopefully subvert a similar outcome for any other student or family.
We truly believe this bill could have saved Katie’s life,” shared Gina and Steve Meyer. “Her death was one of a number of student-athlete deaths by suicide in 2022 that brought to light the need for a new approach that prioritizes the mental health of students. We miss her endlessly and realize AB 1575 will not bring her back…but it will save lives going forward. Katie would have wanted that.
Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that depression and anxiety are present within student-athletes, regardless of sport type, and that females are often at higher risk. The pressure to perform both academically and athletically can become challenging, leaving less time for social connection, resulting in feelings of isolation. Additionally, student-athletes routinely experience physical injuries which can lead to chronic pain due to the physical requirements of their chosen sport. The psychological impact can cause internal fear about the potential loss of advancement opportunities, playtime or scholarships – all of which can amplify feelings of despair.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin shared, “California’s colleges and universities are filled with the best and the brightest students who come from around the world to study, conduct research, participate in athletics, and better their lives. At times, their higher education journey presents them with challenges they are not prepared to navigate on their own. This bill creates better supports for our students during what may be the most stressful time of their young adult life.”
The Meyer family has actively advocated for similar legislation to be passed on a national level, highlighting a distrssing number of high-achieving student athletes who have died by suicide in recent years, believing that resources and advisers are critical scaffolding for students contending with the intense pressure of academics, athletics and social engagement.
Meyer’s teammates from Stanford, which included Naomi Girma and Sophia Smith, dedicated their 2023 World Cup with the U.S. Women’s National Team (soccer) to Katie’s memory. Girma, who was Katie’s best friend, continues to promote greater focus on mental health both on and off the field.
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