Grief, a journey that often feels endless, has no clear path to healing. Yet, for Naomi Girma, the loss of her best friend became the catalyst for a powerful shift. Instead of retreating, she opened up on how she chose to channel her heartbreak into action, spearheading a mental health initiative aimed at supporting not just soccer players but the entire soccer community. The 26-year-old defender also talked about how this loss fueled her desire to advocate for mental health.

As a rising star for the USWNT, Girma’s on-field achievements like an unbreakable defense in the 2024 Paris Olympics knockout stages, a SheBelieves Cup title, and a Concacaf W Gold Cup win earned her a nomination for the Best FIFA Women’s Player Award on the field—speak volumes, doesn’t it? But her true strength lies in her vision and dedication to creating change off the field as well.

In a conversation with FIFA, Naomi Girma reflected on how the tragic loss of her best friend, Katie, to suicide ignited her passion for mental health advocacy within the soccer community. “After she died, I felt called to do something that could have helped a younger Katie, I didn’t want anyone else’s family, friends, or communities to have to go through something so tragic.” Girma’s collaboration with the soccer charity Common Goal is a direct response to prevent similar tragic experiences for others.

Girma’s initiative with Create the Space wasn’t just about raising awareness; it was about providing tangible support for those in need. “It was very impactful to see how much people felt they needed something like that, I felt like [as a society] we were talking about mental health, that had become more normalized, but there weren’t that many people taking action. I wanted to do something to help people.”

While the loss of Katie was undeniably painful, Girma now finds a sense of purpose in her grief. “It all stemmed from losing my best friend, Katie. It’s amazing that something like this came from something that was so negative,” the USWNT star defender noted, acknowledging the paradox of how a devastating event led to the creation of something constructive and significant.

The back line with Naomi Girma appears to be strong on the field, and the star defender has been playing at a whole other level under Emma Hayes, as the USWNT has won 15 straight games and continues their win streak into 2025. The 26-year-old has kept up her remarkable play on the field, but through the Mental Health Program, her off-field antiques continue to motivate women worldwide.

Naomi Girma reveals the inspiration behind her USWNT transition

Naomi Girma’s rise to prominence in the USWNT is a story of talent; before stepping onto the national stage, Girma was already making waves alongside Alex Morgan at the San Diego Wave in the NWSL. However, it was Morgan’s mentorship during Girma’s transition to the USWNT that left an indelible mark on her journey. “Having Alyssa as a guiding voice behind me really helped me transition into the team,“ Naomi said.

Girma also reflected on the reassuring presence of Alex Morgan during her early days with the national squad, adding, “Just knowing you have someone so good behind you always makes you feel more confident.” This foundational support extended beyond the field: “She’s used that to do so many good things for women’s soccer and women’s sports’, where Morgan’s influence became a source of inspiration.

Naomi Girma’s journey to the USWNT is on the rise, and her off-field activities will only get better with time. The future looks bright for the 26-year-old, do you agree? Share your take below.