May is Mental Health and Wellness Awareness Month. The Bills are doing many things throughout the month to recognize and celebrate the importance of mental health.
Throughout the month, Bills team clinician and sport psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa, known as Dr. Dez at One Bills Drive, will provide a series of 'Mental Moments' to help equip everyone with tools to enhance our mental and emotional resilience.
This week's mental moment is about breathing and being present.
Amidst the busyness of our everyday lives, it's hard to find time to pause and take a deep breath.
"It's important to pause and be still in the chaos that can sometimes be life," Dr. Dez said. "Just like your body needs physical rest, your mind does too. There are many different strategies that help both the mind and body reset and recover."
One of those strategies that Dr. Dez will take us through is breathing. She believes breathing is an important tool that can help us hit the reset button.
"Breathing is a powerful tool to help reset both the mind and body," Dr. Dez said. "And the best part about it is your breath is a free tool you always have with you! Diaphragmatic breathing is a great starting point and easy to learn. You can use it as a mid-day reset, a tool for better sleep, or during times of stress.
"The key is to be intentional with your breath work and incorporate it into your daily routine."
This Mental Health Awareness month, the Buffalo Bills teamed up with BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a school visit to Frank A Sedita Academy in Buffalo. Activities focused on mental wellness best practices, character development and having a positive mindset and included a panel discussion facilitated by team reporter Maddy Glab with Buffalo Bills team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa, BestSelf's Yibbelle Wales and Bills players Alec Anderson, DeWayne Carter, Zach Davidson, Ja'Marcus Ingram, and Brad Robbins, and an interactive gallery walk with the 8th grade students!
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Zach Davidson (84) speaks with students during a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Alec Anderson (70) and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf speaks during a panel conversation on mental wellness, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Maddy Glab hosts a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Zach Davidson (84) speaks with students during a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Maddy Glab hosts a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Kate Schrum, Buffalo Bills manager of partnership activation, with students at a panel discussion on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa reacts during a panel conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Kate Schrum, Buffalo Bills manager of partnership activation, with students at a panel discussion on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), at a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa reacts during a panel conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa reacts during a panel conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46) at a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46) and Billy Buffalo at a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa speaks with students during a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46) at a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46) and Billy Buffalo at a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46) at a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf speaks during a panel conversation on mental wellness, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and Alec Anderson speak with students during a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Ja'Marcus Ingram speaks with students during a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Students post their answers to questions in a mental wellness breakout session, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Students post their answers to questions in a mental wellness breakout session, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Brad Robbins looks at student answers to questions in a mental wellness breakout session, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Students post their answers to questions in a mental wellness breakout session, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Students post their answers to questions in a mental wellness breakout session, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Students post their answers to questions in a mental wellness breakout session, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Students post their answers to questions in a mental wellness breakout session, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills players, Alec Anderson (70), Brad Robbins (40), DeWayne Carter (90), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46), Zach Davidson (84), team psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa and reporter Maddy Glab teamed up with Yibbelle Wales from BestSelf and EVERFI's Character Playbook for a conversation on mental wellness best practices, May 21, 2025 at the Frank A. Sedita Academy in Buffalo.
Here are some of Dr. Dez's suggestions for practicing diaphragmatic breathing.
- Sit or lie down in a quiet space and focus on your breathing for at least 5 minutes.
- Inhale: Let your stomach rise while keeping your chest and shoulders still.
- Exhale: Let your stomach gently fall toward your spine.
- Repeat that inhale/exhale pattern and be mindful of your technique.
- Let your breathing feel natural and easy—it shouldn't feel forced or effortful.
One thing Dr. Dez wants us to be mindful of is shallow breathing versus deep breathing.
- Remember: Chest breathing is stress breathing. When you take short, shallow breaths using your chest, you can trigger a stress response in your body. Instead, be intentional about breathing from your abdomen, which helps bring your body into a relaxed state. Try to make diaphragmatic breathing part of your daily routine and practice 5-10 minutes per day.
Here is an exercise to help us stay in the moment while practicing breathing.
5 Senses Exercise:
- The 5 senses exercise is an effective technique that helps your mind focus on the present moment. You will engage each sense one at a time: hearing, touch, smell, taste, and sight.
- Find a quiet place, ideally in nature. Close your eyes and, for 5 minutes, focus on the following:
- Min 1-Hearing: Focus on the different sounds around you.
- Min 2- Touch: Focus on what you physically feel (e.g. the breeze, warmth from sunlight, your clothing etc.).
- Min 3- Smell: Focus on what you smell (e.g. grass, flowers, cologne, etc.).
- Min 4- Taste: Focus on what you taste (you can bring a snack, flavored beverage, or mint with you).
- Min 5- Sight: Open your eyes and focus on what you see (notice the different objects, shapes, colors in your surroundings)
Resources to help
Here are links to organizations where people can find assistance to take care of their mental wellness!
BestSelf Behavioral Health
No matter how old you are, where you live in Western New York or what challenges you're facing—BestSelf Behavioral Health can provide you and your family with the innovative and evidence-based services you need, along with a personal and caring approach that will help you feel respected, valued, confident and hopeful. We are proud to offer numerous locations that provide all of the mental health and substance use disorders treatment and rehabilitation services you need.
Learn more: https://www.bestselfwny.org/
ECMC – Health Services
The Regional Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health is proud to offer mental health, psychiatric, and substance use treatment services. Our team of compassionate specialists provides care on both an inpatient and outpatient basis to best serve the needs of our community and patients.
Crisis Services
You are not alone. Crisis Services is ready to support you through moments of urgency. In addition to our main 24-Hour Crisis Hotline, you can safely and confidentially call one of our specialized Crisis Counseling Program Hotlines to best respond to your individual crisis. Free of charge, no matter what you're going through. Every Crisis Services number is ready to help.
- 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 716-834-3131
- Buffalo & Erie County Addiction Hotline: 716-831-7007
- Kids Helpline: 716-834-1144 or 1-877-KIDS-400
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- 988 Lifeline – If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here: https://988lifeline.org/
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/
Learn more: https://crisisservices.org/
Mental Health Advocates
For 60 years, Mental Health Advocates of WNY (formerly Mental Health Association of Erie County) has been deeply committed to providing essential non-clinical services that address the needs of individuals, families and communities living with mental illness.
Through awareness, education, prevention, early intervention programs and supportive services, we advocate for and actively promote mental health and wellness for adults, families and children in homes, schools and workplaces across Western New York.
Learn more: https://mhawny.org/
Let's Talk Stigma
If you're dealing with a mental health challenge, you are not alone. Approximately 1 in 5 Western New Yorkers are living with a mental health diagnosis, yet many of these people suffer in silence because of the discrimination that goes along with it. So, we're starting a conversation to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. Join us as we share our stories, our struggles and our successes. When we talk about mental health, we help everyone find their voice.
Learn more: https://letstalkstigma.org/
