Thread by @DrBhrettMcCabe

Coaches-Right now, our student-athletes are going through things we never did. It is more than just needing to toughen up. They need our support through and through. Here are a few thoughts to help:

1. Meet regularly with your players as people first. Talk to them as people

2. Share with them your vision for them in your program. Let them know if you have a plan for them and if you want them to improve, tell them how, don’t just say “you aren’t good enough.”

3. DO NOT EVER leverage mental health treatment as a point of weakness or investment.

Mental health treatment, counseling, and performance coaching should be viewed like strength and conditioning, not sickness, the infirmary, or conflict resolution. It is an investment into the person, not their performance/program

4. Be human as coach. They need to see u as real

5. 80-90% of athletes I meet with worry about things they cannot control - they obsess about it - They really want to know where they stand with you - that is not being weak to want to know. They need to have a plan for their futures.

6. COVID was brutal. Respect that

7. Do not believe that a guest speaker on motivation equates to mental health programming and support. Make sure the professionals you bring in to your team are qualified and can handle concerns, questions, and emergency situations should they arise during or after meetings.

8. Be careful with “You should love your sport” or “This should be fun!” Comments. When you are immersed in a pursuit without regular feedback, venturing into deep vulnerabilities, it is hard to have fun. The long-term is fun, but the immediate is hard. Respect that

9. Keep mental health, mental coaching, & human care in general a regular part of your program. There are a ton of resources. Players crave consistency of messaging because it shows authenticity of leadership. Make it part of everything you do

10. Finally, love your players through the good, the bad, and the difficult. They need your guidance more now than ever. The past 3 years have been the most stressful on record (@APA) and we had to reduce social support networks. Build them back up.

Coaches, I am happy to help point you in the direction of licensed, qualified mental health providers for your teams. It is not about hype, motivation, and the rah-rah, it is about the body-mind-spirit part of the human experience right now.

#MentalHealthAwareness