About Our Team
Meet the Experts Behind GearUp for Mental Health
Jamaika Hughes
Email: jamaika.h@gearupmentalhealth.com | Phone: 817-646-7437
Jamaika is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of GearUp For Mental Health and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Psychotherapist with extensive experience in clinical mental health.
Coming from a family of elite and professional athletes, Jamaika is a former elite athlete herself. She began her college basketball career at Texas Tech University and later transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington due to coaching changes. Unfortunately, a knee injury early in her college career led to her medical retirement. Despite this setback, Jamaika was honored with the Ben Hogan Perseverance Award, a testament to her resilience in the face of adversity.
Jamaika now leverages her background to support athletes and their communities, highlighting the importance of mental well-being for everyone involved. Her motto, "Recognize the person beyond the performance," reflects her commitment to a holistic approach, providing hope and guidance to those facing similar challenges.
Destini Santos
Email: destini.s@gearupmentalhealth.com | Phone: 817-631-5866
Destini Santos serves in our Coaches' Corner to provide support and professional development for coaches. She also is the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) for GearUp. Destini played basketball at LSU and coached collegiately at both LSU and Quinnipiac. Coming out of high school she was a Mcdonald's All American and ranked by ESPN as the number 2 point guard in the nation. Destini has also worked with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and have a desire to live with purpose. She currently has a ministry called Beyond the Court Ministries where she provides 1 on 1 basketball skill development for all ages and a podcast that ministers the Word of God. Destini graduated LSU with a Masters in Communication and is the author of What Every New Coach Should Know: Analysis of Coaches' Goals for Organizational Entry/Assimilation, through the Goals-Plans-Action Theory and Socioemotional Selectivity Theory. Destini still enjoys coaching basketball for young kids and is happily married to her husband Erick Santos.
Cedric Patterson
Vice President of Sports Psychology for GearUp
Played Football and Track at the University of New Mexico
B.S. In Psychology from the University of New Mexico
Played Football at Rice University
M.S. In Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Rice University
Has a heart for advocating for the inclusion of mental health resources in athletic organizations
Our Background
At GearUp for Mental Health, our team members are more than just clinicians—they’re former elite athletes who have walked the same path as the students they support. With a deep understanding of the athletic world and extensive mental health training, we offer a unique, empathetic approach to athlete mental wellness.
Our Approach
We leverage our personal experiences in athletics and professional expertise in mental health to provide services that resonate with athletes. Our team is dedicated to helping athletes navigate their mental health journeys with tailored support.
Our Commitment
We’re committed to fostering resilience, enhancing performance, and ensuring every athlete has access to the mental health resources they need to succeed.