When nervousness intensifies beyond a window of tolerance to heightened levels of anxiety, athletic performance can decline.
Audience: Coaches
Supporting Mental Health in Athletes Starts with You
Coaches are often the first to notice when something is off with an athlete.
Pressure, Pain, and Purpose. Men’s Mental Health in Sports Panel
What does men’s mental health really look like in sports? Moderated by Dr. Mena Mirhom, this powerful panel discussion brings together athletes and mental health experts to explore how pressure, pain, and purpose shape men’s mental health in sports and beyond. Featuring former NFL running back Montee Ball alongside leading voices Dr. Pratik Mehta, Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq. and Joel Hark, M.Ed., the conversation blends lived experience with professional insight. Panelists discuss:
👉 The impact of performance pressure on men’s mental health
👉 Navigating stigma, identity, and vulnerability in sport
👉 Why mental health support must extend beyond the field
👉 How athletes, teams, and organizations can create healthier, more supportive environments
This conversation highlights the importance of normalizing mental health conversations for male athletes and empowering men to seek support—both during their careers and in life after sports. This panel was filmed in celebration of Athlete Mental Health Week 2026, presented by Athletes for Hope, Hilinski’s Hope, the Kevin Love Fund, Morgan’s Message, The Hidden Opponent, and the Sarah Shulze Foundation. For more mental health resources, visit athletewellbeing.org. If you are in crisis, or experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
AGE APPROPRIATE COACHING, DEVELOPMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS AND COACHING STRATEGIES
Knowing where your players are emotionally, physically, and developmentally, will help you coach them more effectively.
Adaptive Ally Toolkit
The Adaptive Ally Toolkit is created for all Athlete for Hope athletes, with the goal of education and empowerment.
Why Athletes Continue to Die by Suicide
Awareness has grown, but athlete suicide remains a leading cause of death in collegiate sport.
How to Recognize Depression and Anxiety in Young Athletes and How to Help
In this blog, we’ll explore how to recognize depression and anxiety in young athletes and offer guidance on how to best help your child.
Sleep: The Cornerstone of Athlete Well-Being
Sleep is vital for athletes, influencing physical recovery, emotional regulation, and cognitive performance, with optimal duration being 9-10 hours per night.
Mental Health Investment Could Be USA Gymnastics’ Secret Weapon
For NBC and Team USA gymnastics, the key to thriving might just be investment in mental health support.
Mental Health in Adaptive and Para Athletes
Adaptive and para athletes commonly experience mental health symptoms and disorders accompanied by unique challenges that are often overlooked or normalized due to disability stigma.
Cannabis in Collegiate Athletes
This article outlines expert consensus that cannabis does not enhance performance, can pose health risks, and that colleges should use evidence‑based education and harm‑reduction strategies to prevent, identify, and manage problematic cannabis use among student‑athletes.
Eating Disorders and Athletes: Why Awareness Matters
Eating disorders pose a significant risk to athletes’ health, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, support, and compassionate change in sports culture.
Youth Athlete Mental Health Playbook
A guide for coaches, parents, and caregivers to support youth athletes, by the Mental Health Coalition & Kicking The Stigma.
Mental Health is Real, Just Like Physical Health
“I want to encourage others to seek help whenever they are down.” – AJ Brown
Helping Athletes Grow from the Inside Out
As a coach, you can help athletes build lasting confidence rooted in effort, resilience, and self-worth.
This is For Katie
Naomi Girma’s tribute to her friend, Katie Meyer.