What the Director of the New ESPN Documentary Wants Parents to Take from Katie Meyer’s Tragic Story

In 2022, the college sports world was shaken by the tragic death of Stanford soccer goalkeeper Katie Meyer.

Meyer wasn’t just a star on the field, she was a team leader, a fierce competitor, a trusted friend and a bright light in her community. Her death, ruled a suicide, stunned the nation and put a spotlight on the unseen pressures student-athletes face.

At the time, Meyer was dealing with a disciplinary issue at Stanford. Many, including her parents, believe that the University’s flawed and stressful handling of the situation played a devastating role in her mental health decline.

Now, a powerful new ESPN documentary, Save: The Katie Meyer Story, digs deeper into Meyer's life, her struggles, and the systems that failed her. Directed by Jen Karson, the film is not just about what happened—it's about why it matters, and what needs to change.

Watch the trailer here.

We spoke with director Jen Karson about what it took to tell this story, what she learned along the way, and what she hopes parents will take from it.

“Katie's story and her life, her death, everything that has happened since was really something that should be told," Karson said, "and should be told beyond just the headline that people knew about at the time.”

For Karson, this story goes beyond Meyer's legacy. It’s about recognizing that no family is immune to mental health struggles and using Katie’s story as a way to start these important conversations.

“There’s still a lot of stigma around suicide," Karson said. "People have a certain idea in their head and I think this should prove that suicide touches every family in this country. And it’s not just a certain type of person.”

One of the film’s strongest messages is directed toward students and athletes: it's okay to fail, to feel overwhelmed and to admit that you are struggling. Life isn't only about success, it's also about how you handle setbacks and knowing you are not alone in them.

“For somebody like Katie who is high achieving, who has a lot of goals and big dreams – it’s okay to fail. It's okay to let your guard down,” Karson said. “The people in your life who love you are going to be there for you through it.”

Oftentimes, kids appear to be doing “just fine.” They hit their goals, win awards, push through pain, and are often checking on everyone else. But behind the surface, there can be silent struggles. It is essential for kids to know that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. You don't always have to be strong and carry that burden alone.

Perfection isn’t the goal. Failing a class, not making the team, or going through a tough time doesn’t define you. What matters most is reaching out and knowing that it is okay to not be okay. Parents should continue to be engaged by checking in and listening—but it is just as important for students to know that their support systems exist for a reason. They’re there to be leaned on, especially when things are difficult.

Meyer's story hasn’t just raised awareness – it’s led to change. Her parents helped pass AB 1575, a California law that gives public school students facing disciplinary action the right to have an outside advisor of their choice to support them through the process.

“I hope it makes universities and high schools look a little bit closer at the way that they discipline their students and that they don’t always have to go by the book,” said Karson. She hopes that these institutions will move forward have more compassion and empathy in their decision-making.

Stanford, as a private institution, is not required to adopt the new law. That’s why the Meyers are now advocating to bring the law to the national level—because they believe it could have saved their daughter’s life.

 “Hopefully after watching this they won't be able to forget her," said Karson. "And they won't be able to forget the Meyers.”

Karson didn’t just want to inform viewers, she wanted to leave a mark. “We want this to stick with people,” she said. “And maybe for it to create change in a number of different ways.”

This story is meant to stay with you beyond the screen. Into the way we talk to our kids, the way schools treat their students, and the way we show up for those around us.

Let it be a reminder long after the credits roll.

Next Steps for Parents

This film is more than a documentary—it’s a call to parents to start having those difficult conversations. To ask better questions and see how your child is really doing, even when they may seem “fine”.

Here’s what you can do next:

1. Watch Save: The Katie Meyer Story (now streaming on ESPN+)
2. Talk to your child. Share what you felt. Ask what they need. Listen without judgement. Be a safe place for them to share their problems.
3. Stay close. Don’t assume they’re “fine” just because they’re strong.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidentia, and available 24/7.

Let Meyer's story remind us that mental health doesn’t always look the way we expect it to.