Embracing Mental Health and Community through Sports: A Conversation with Justin Bogers




Welcome to our latest blog series from Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families! I'm Valerie Alston, your guide on this journey of engaging dialogues centered around mental toughness, resilience, and confidence for young athletes and their families. In this post, I want to delve into a compelling conversation I recently had with Justin Bogers, a board member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Our focus? The intersection of sports and mental health and the incredible power of belonging in sports environments.



The Growing Concern of Youth Mental Health



As we began our discussion, Justin shared concerning trends in youth mental health, particularly highlighting the increase in suicidality amongst younger demographics. However, amidst these challenges, there's a silver lining: community response. Across the nation, numerous organizations, including schools, are stepping up to provide essential support and training. Justin emphasized that feeling cared for and having a strong sense of community can help young people feel less isolated in their mental health journeys.



The Role of Sport in Building Community and Wellness



Justin believes there's no better opportunity than team sports to instill a sense of community. Team-based sports require athletes to work towards common goals, teaching them valuable life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and adaptability. Coaches and leaders play a pivotal role in cultivating this environment, creating a safe space for young athletes to thrive both mentally and physically.



Building Confidence, Calm, and Clutch



An interesting part of our conversation was when Justin discussed the importance of helping young athletes become confident, calm, and clutch. He advocates for strategies such as visualization and goal setting, practical tools designed to enhance mental resilience. For instance, Justin's team creates personal goal sheets, helping athletes focus on both performance and wellness goals. During intense moments, these tools help athletes recenter and regain confidence.



Creating a Safe Sport Environment



In our dialogue, Justin and I also explored what makes a team feel like a safe place. It’s about having one trusted adult in their lives, ensuring that sports don't become pressure cookers focused solely on results. Instead, fostering an environment where children feel safe to make mistakes and grow leads to stronger mental health outcomes.



Questions to Encourage Meaningful Car Ride Conversations



To inspire further dialogue among families, we've listed some thought-provoking questions:



1. When do you feel most confident playing your sport? What helps you achieve this state?

2. How can visualization and goal-setting enhance your performance before a game or practice?

3. What elements contribute to a team feeling like a safe environment?

4. How do your coaches and teammates respond when you make a mistake, and how can they support your bounce-back process?

5. How can parents focus more on praising effort, attitude, and teamwork rather than just outcomes?



Conclusion



Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey with Justin. We hope our conversation sparks meaningful debates and helps nurture stronger, healthier dialogue within your sports families. Don't forget to share this post with other sports families, coaches, or parents who can benefit from these insights. For more tips, mindset shifts, and conversation prompts, consider subscribing to our newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter. Additionally, if you have ideas for topics you'd like me to address in future podcasts, feel free to reach out through the links provided in the show notes. Together, let’s make every car ride count towards building better relationships and life skills for our young athletes.



Stay confident, stay calm, stay clutch. We’ll see you in the next post!


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