Mental health is a key piece of overall wellness for young people, and it’s uniquely important for student athletes. Not only do athletes face all of the realities that teens across the country are experiencing with mental health, but they have the added pressure of maintaining their physical performance. Sports can be a great source of community, hard work, and a protective factor for mental health, but can also lead to burnout and other challenges if mental well-being is not centered.
Student athletes need to regularly maintain their mental health just like they regularly train physically to maintain fitness, and that’s why we’ve created Athletes’ Minds Matter (AMM), where captains, coaches, and athletic department staff can engage athletes in conversations about mental health. Help your athletes stay healthy, well, and even improve their physical performance by weaving mental health into your practices every day. Incorporate our 5-10 minute activities at the start or end of practice, like a mental warm-up or cooldown!