Mental health in sports matters. During the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, United States gymnast Simone Biles thrust the importance of athletes’ mental health into the spotlight when she chose to withdraw from competition. Biles has continued to advocate for its importance, changing the way we view and discuss mental health. On the day the United States Gymnastics team set out to win the gold medal in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, Biles openly shared that her morning began with a therapy session. When elite athletes speak candidly about their mental health, it reduces stigma and encourages others to feel more comfortable discussing their own mental health challenges.
However, mental health isn’t only important for Olympians — it’s important for athletes of all ages, especially youth. Coaches play a crucial role in the lives of athletes, both on and off the field, starting at a young age. Yet less than one third of the country’s six million coaches have been trained in helping kids thrive; most coach training is focused on winning games. This is a missed opportunity that is not serving our youth.
How NRPA Is Supporting Youth Sports Coaches
NRPA recently joined the Susan Crown Exchange’s (SCE) Million Coaches Challenge (MCC) with the overall goal of training one million coaches in youth development techniques by 2025. With foundational support from the SCE and additional support from ESPN, NRPA is awarding grants to 60 park and recreation agencies selected through an equity-based grantmaking process. They will leverage their network of park and recreation professionals, youth sports coaches and partners to provide essential coach training.
NRPA is partnering with leading national training providers to deliver high-quality training programs focused on social and emotional learning (SEL), which promotes positive mental health in many ways, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Training will be provided through several MCC partners including the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, How to Coach Kids, Positive Coaching Alliance, and the United States Soccer Foundation.
To kick off these trainings, we hope you’ll join us in Atlanta for “Building Resilience Through Sport,” a pre-conference workshop at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference on Monday, October 7, for youth sports coaches, camp counselors, seasonal staff and community volunteers. Register for this no-cost, in-person workshop, brought to you in partnership with the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, Laureus USA and Nike, to learn how to build positive environments for youth in your programs — specifically how to apply a healing-centered lens to your coaching style. NRPA Annual Conference attendees should use these instructions for registration. If you are not attending the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference, please use these instructions for registration.
Normalizing Conversations About Mental Health
At the conclusion of the synchronized diving 10-meter platform event at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, 19-year-old British diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix bravely shared her personal journey with reporters after finishing in sixth place. “I’m just grateful to be alive and to have this experience and to be here with my family,” she said. “Three years ago, I didn’t even want to be alive, so today I’m just happy that I am alive, I’m breathing, and I’ve got my family to support me. Sometimes, the Olympic medal isn’t everything.” Andrea’s words remind us of the importance of normalizing open and honest conversations about mental health in sports.
This blog post is the first of a 3-part series focused on coaching that utilizes social and emotional learning paired with diversity, equity and inclusion to create a psychologically safe space for youth to participate and gain the benefits of participation in sports.
Charissa Hipp (she/her) is a marketing and engagement manager at NRPA.
Rosa Riley (she/her) is a program specialist at NRPA.