Sports Mental Health Monday – July | Virginia Sports Hall of Fame

Youth Sports Mental Health & Wellness Alliance

July - Coping Strategies

07-31-2023 - Coping Strategies

Addie Froehlich

Our focus for July is on coping strategies. Sometimes the pressure to perform on the field can impact a young athlete’s overall mental health. In one of our previous conversations, Cox High School field hockey player, Addie Froehlich, detailed how the pressure she put on herself athletically, impacted her school and personal lives.

Here she details how she was able to find ways to cope with the pressure, and refocus, all of which helped her become a better athlete.

Full conversation with Froehlich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuXcJddI-Kk&t=213s

07-24-2023 - Mental Performance & Coping Strategies

Kiersten Janjigian (CPMC)

Our focus for July is on coping strategies. Certified Mental Performance Coach (CPMC) Kiersten Janjigian examines how mental performance training can improve how an athlete copes with an injury, loss, or criticism.

Full conversation with Kiersten Janjigian: https://lnkd.in/gsy5Y6yJ

07-17-2023 - Coping Strategies

Dr. Joel Brenner – Director of Sports Medicine, CHKD

Our focus for July is on coping strategies. This week we hear from Dr. Joel Brenner, Director of Sports Medicine at CHKD. Dr. Brenner discusses the effects an injury can have on a youth athlete, beyond just the physical component, and how a good support system can help improve the athlete’s mental health & wellness.

Full conversation with Dr. Brenner: https://youtu.be/iQd7qQJeFUs

07-10-2023 - Coping with Injuries

Our focus for July is on coping strategies. Injuries are a part of sports, yet the recovery process is often seen as purely physical. The reality is time away from the playing surface can have a negative impact on the mental health of an injured athlete.

This week we go back to a blog post from CHKD Sports Medicine on Managing the Emotional Effects of Sports Injuries. There are many key takeaways from the article, but maintaining focus during the recovery process should be priority #1 for any athlete recovering from injury.

“While being away from their sport, an athlete has plenty of time to develop fear and anxiety about their return. Focusing on proper form and execution of rehabilitation activities can help overcome self-defeating thoughts.”

Full article: https://www.chkd.org/blog/managing-the-emotional-effect-of-sports-injuries/

07-03-2023 - Coping Strategies

Matheau “Dupe” Hall – Play Your Position

Our focus for July is on coping strategies. Whether it’s recovery from injury, dealing with a loss on the field, or criticism, how athletes cope with struggles and distraction can play a role in their overall mental health.

We discussed the importance of coping strategies in our recent conversation with Matheau “Dupe” Hall from Play Your Position.

Full conversation with Hall: https://youtu.be/nLl8T-cnQMs