Get To Know: Naomi Girma

Girma’s mission is to ensure soccer athletes have the tools to take care of their mental well-being. The two-part program (made possible by FOX Sports, FOX Corporation and support from Women in Soccer) will educate youth coaches from under-resourced communities on how to help players grappling with stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness. The initiative will also train select NWSL athletes on how to be mental health champions for their respective teams. As September, which is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, draws to a close, Girma chatted with Sweet July about the next steps for her Common Goal program, the importance of community, the impact of representation and her own future plans.

How did your partnership with Common Goal come about and where do you see it going?

Naomi Girma: I was introduced to Common Goal [from] a project that Lauren “Lu” Barnes, who plays with OL Reign, was doing in partnership with Football For Her. That was the first time I heard about them and their mission of using soccer for social impact. They are an overarching organization with community groups that fall under their umbrella such as Soccer Without Borders, which is one that I had also worked with in the Bay Area. After my friend Katie passed away, I knew that I wanted to do some sort of mental health project that would reach as many people as possible. I knew I couldn’t do it by myself, so I partnered with Common Goal. We’re currently designing a workshop for coaches from underserved communities in partnership with E-Motion [a movement-based, therapeutic approach to help communities move together through hardships, founded by former Dartmouth College soccer captain Myra Sack]. The whole concept is to ‘train the trainer,’ so if you teach a coach about these different mental health skills, they’ll be able to impact the kids they coach as well. We’re also going to work with a group of NWSL players. Kids spend so much time with their coach when they are growing up. We want to make sure that coaches are using their influence in the right way and teaching kids positive coping skills that can help them in the future.

When do you hope the workshops will start?

NG: The beginning of next year. We are currently conducting a survey with players and coaches to get a sense of the support they are already receiving, where they feel there are gaps, and what types of resources they feel they still need.

As you progress in your career, how do you take care of your own mental health? 

NG: Going to therapy. Having access to it is a privilege, so that’s something I am grateful for. Also making sure I am taking care of myself as a person outside of just taking care of my body as an athlete. So doing things that bring me joy, like spending time with family and friends, reading, and journaling. I also recently tried painting. Just doing little things outside of soccer that help keep me balanced.

Your parents both immigrated from Ethiopia to the U.S. as teenagers and your father started an Ethiopian youth soccer group, Maleda Soccer Club, in the Bay Area when you were younger. How was it having that support system throughout your career and how did it nurture you as a person?

NG: That group was where I first started playing soccer, so I feel like I grew up in that community. I think the great thing about having a community like that is that their love and support isn’t based off of results or success; it’s unconditional. I think having their support from the beginning made soccer feel fun. As I’ve continued to progress, they’re always there cheering me on. Our sendoff game for the World Cup was in San Jose and it was really cool to see all of them there. They have always been the village that’s helped me thrive.

How does it feel for you to be the first player of Ethiopian descent to play in the USWNT and NWSL?

NG: It’s very special hearing from other people how they felt inspired and represented. It makes me proud that I can be out there representing my family and the community that helped me get here.

Looking ahead, what are your future goals?

NG: I want to win [laughs]. I want to continue to develop both in San Diego and on the national team. Off the field, hopefully this project with Common Goal will be something that has a lasting impact and will be a staple for coaches and players to have access to different mental health resources.

Are you hoping to be at the Paris Olympics next year?

NG: Yes! I’m hoping to compete and win on this team.Donate to Naomi Girma’s Common Goal project here or textGIRMA to 44321