NEW YORK, NY — Over 250 people attended the “Do You Still Believe in Miracles Event to Ice the Stigma of Mental Health Struggles” earlier this month to help raise money and awareness for The Ranch in Chelsea Piers.
The late Mark Pavelich, an Olympic gold medalist, and NHL player, who sadly took his own life in 2021, inspired the mission to prevent anyone from facing recovery alone with his quiet generosity and personal struggles, leading to the creation of The Ranch in his honor.
Today, Mark’s legacy lives on through The Ranch and continues to guide the work day by day—helping athletes, veterans, first responders, and families who are dealing with mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and brain disorders. Located in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, The Ranch aids long-term residents using programs, peer support, and focuses on mental, physical, social, spiritual health, and service.
To learn more about The Ranch – Teammates for Life, visit their official website (HERE) – Image Credit: The Ranch – Teammates for Life
Residents engage in daily peer accountability and find connection, stability, and purpose through community and service. Its model is simple but powerful: recovery at your own pace, without financial barriers or strict timelines.
The Ranch provides mental health outreach, intervention, and advocacy, along with national partnerships, housing, and peer support to combat stigma and foster hope.
Its goal is to expand its partnerships, resources, counseling, therapies, and programs through fundraising to aid people dealing with PTSD, substance abuse, or traumatic brain injury.
The special evening in New York City, hosted by Sam Rosen, the former voice of the New York Rangers and a sportscasting legend, featured a mental health awareness panel with Harvard University Professor of Psychology Dr. Matthew Nock, on-air medical contributor Dr. Lipi Roy, M.D., author Major General Gregg F. Martin, Ph.D. ret. US Army, and other esteemed experts; a special presentation with Ice Hockey in Harlem Executive Director Malik Garvin; and a memorabilia auction.
The story behind The Ranch and their mission is one that everyone should know in spreading awareness worldwide for mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and brain disorders – Image Credit: The Ranch – Teammates for Life
Pavelich’s dream of creating a healing center for others who shared his silent struggles was brought to life by his family and NHL teammates. The Ranch organization also spearheads mental health outreach and advocacy programs that extend nationwide.
“Mark was always the same,” said Mike Eruzione, captain of the 1980 “Miracle On Ice” team, as other members present described him as “quiet, and introverted.”
“If we knew what he was battling, we would step in a heartbeat,” Eruzione continued.
Other attendees included: Clint Malarchuk, a former NHL player and president & Co-Founder of The Ranch, and Tony Granato, On the Board of Directors of The Ranch and a former NHL Player. Additionally some of Pavelich’s former Olympic teammates in the crowd were Eruzione, Neal Broten, Bill Baker, John Harrington, Rob McClanahan. Phil Verchota, Buzz Schneider, and Steve Janaszak. Pat Lafontaine, a Hockey Hall of Famer, and Mike Richter as well.
Many of Mark Pavelich’s former teammates were among those in attendance for the “Do You Still Believe in Miracles Event to Ice the Stigma of Mental Health Struggles” in New York City earlier this month – Image Credit: Steve Babineau for The Ranch – Teammates for Life
Supporting those affected by trauma, such as athletes, veterans, and first responders, by informing them about mental health issues, here is some key information:
- Over half (54.7%) of U.S. adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment, totaling over 28 million individuals.
- In 2023, over 49,000 Americans took their own lives (per the CDC).
- A 2023 American study found that PTSD patients were 10 times likelier to die by suicide.
- MSKTC reports that the major depression rate in severe TBI patients is 30%, which is roughly eight times higher than average.
- Someone in the U.S. sustains a brain injury every nine seconds.
- Roughly 75% of individuals with SUD have a history of trauma, according to surveys. Research has also found an elevated prevalence of PTSD among individuals with SUD, with an estimated co-occurrence rate of 25–42% among treatment-seeking samples.
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