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MENTAL HEALTH

Hope Soccer strives to bring awareness to mental health issues and encourage, mentor, and train players on and off the field. We recognize that long-term success in the game requires a positive attitude.

On the topic of mental health issues...

  1. Does a player blame his or her environment/personal circumstances for their own lack of success in the game?

  2. Does a player prefer to abstain from competition because he or she fears failure or thinks he or she is not appreciated by their coach?

These are two vital questions we are asking in hopes to understand the mental health issues facing the young men and women of today.

Like physical health, we all have mental health, too. Just as our bodies can become unwell, so can our minds. Like physical health, having a mental health problem can affect us all regardless of age, race, religion, or income level. It is not the result of personal weakness or lack of character. Depressive disorders affect 3.4% and anxiety disorders affect 3.8% (2017 figures)--close to 800,000 people die by suicide every year. The issues facing men and women are vastly different. When it comes to mental health, there are differences, but an equal amount of attention needs to be given to both men and women. With suicide rates in men being so high, to the point where it is the leading cause of death for ages 15-49, it is important to take a look at all the factors that contribute to increased levels of mental stress. Women are up to 3x more likely to experience a mental health problem than men. Like their male counterparts, women are impacted by societal mental stressors. One of these is the rise of social media where young girls and women often report lower levels of contentment and happiness. Social media can impact confidence and self-esteem along with open doors to cyber-bullying.

Before the conversation surrounding mental health can begin, there must be an awareness.  Hope Soccer wants to launch a program for the 2026 World Cup that will encourage awareness and discussion in the space of mental health for soccer players.

Mental Health in Sports

Contributing factors to poor mental health:

  • Internal and external performance pressure

  • High expectations from parents

​       coaches, and teammates

  • Harsh/self-criticism, personal

       expectations, and stress

  • Loss of attention/accolades/praise

  • Scholarships/college process

  • Lack of playing time

  • Injuries and burnout

  • Sport identity

  • Body image

How youth sports leaders can support:​

  • Ensure developmentally appropriate training

  • Help players respond to stressors

  • Teach athletes skills that promote resilience and self-compassion​

  • Cultivate a safe space for communication

  • Communicate how to become a successful soccer team

  • Communicate how to hold a positive conversation

  • Promote interpersonal communication

5 Ways Soccer Can Improve Mental Health

  1. Physical health = overall heath -- Improved physical fitness/regular exercise has been proven to improve mental health!  Diet and enjoyable exercise, such as soccer, are key factors in living a long, healthy life.​

  2. Humans are social creatures -- Making new friends and being comfortable in social settings, like a team sport, is crucial for human development. By playing sports, kids learn to interact with others, form friendships, and bond through shared experiences such as wins and losses.

  3. Motivation momentum -- Motivation/encouragement from coaches and fellow players is uplifting. Some kids lack support a home, but a solid team/coach can become a family that pushes the player to become the best version of themselves.

  4. Increased confidence -- Playing soccer in a team environment is a great way to build self-confidence.  It is a chance for youth to make independent decisions. Successful outcomes teach players to trust their instinct and training. They also learn confidence through communicating with their teammates and coaches.

  5. Developing emotional control -- Soccer is an emotional sport. The game has inspired millions of fans since its conception.  Players find themselves feeling stress, anger, frustration, joy, confusion, jealousy, anxiety, and empathy all in the run of play. Part of the fame is learning to control emotions and not let emotions control you.

The Importance of First Aiders

Plenty of attention is given to athletes with physical ailments and injuries.  Physical therapy, certified trainers, recovery programs, and much more go into healing and caring for an athlete’s physical health.  However, the same attention is not always given to an athlete’s mental health.  In order to treat the player, youth and adult first aid training must be available.

 

So many times people miss warning signs of poor mental health and only realize it after it is too late.  Proper training for first aiders will prevent this while giving individuals the tools and confidence to step in when needed.

 

First aiders are kind, compassionate people who want to make a positive change in the mental well-being of others.  They will be equipped in how to handle situations where they believe the mental health of another is at risk.

Hope Soccer is Bringing Change Through... 

 Mentorship 

  • Setting up the right guidelines (in the various fields of life) for the players

  • Individual and group mentoring

  • Develop individual strengths to fulfill team needs

  • Reflective learning (don't repeat mistakes over and over again)

  • Value-based personal development

​

 Mental training 

  • To change players' attitudes from "problem" view into "challenge" view

  • From reaction to action focused game

  • To gain confidence and minimize team risk

  • To look forward and forget about mistakes as quickly as you can--we call this"keep your focus"

 

 Communication training 

  • How to become a successful soccer team

  • How to hold a positive conversation

  • Interpersonal communication dynamics

 

 Physical training 

  • Speed training (anaerobic energy supply)

  • Endurance training (aerobic energy supply)

  • Power training (muscles and whole body)

 

 Effective Team Management 

  • Consulting in effective and efficient team management

  • Lead from mission and vision and make it a reality

  • Power of values

  • Creating a motivating work environment

  • Team building activities

  • Reward and recognition

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