Checking in with Friends; for teens

• When teens notice their team mates and friends may be struggling and want to check in supportively.
• To support peer-led mental wellness efforts at school, community programs, or sports teams.
• As a classroom or team-based discussion starter on how to be there for others.
• To reinforce positive peer communication during Mental Health Awareness campaigns.
• When building a youth-friendly toolkit around wellness and empathy.
  

It equips young people to take action in small, empathetic ways that make a big difference. Its tone is teen-friendly and empowering, especially within a soccer team environment, and aligns strongly with Soccer Forward values around inclusion, proactive mental health care, and building supportive communities through sport and connection.

• How and when are you creating space for peer-to-peer check-ins in your team, school, or program?
• Could these tips be adapted for a peer mentor or team captain training session?
• What trusted adults can teens be encouraged to speak to if something is concerning, and do those adults have the right training to be able to respond appropriately?
• Are you and your coaches modeling supportive language and behavior as adults working with youth?
• Always remind young people: peer support is valuable, but not a substitute for professional help. And make sure, as an organization, you have the right connections or routes to that professional support in place.

Doc Wayne delivers therapy that moves you. As the first and only provider of sport-based therapy, we use sports, games, and movement to make mental health care engaging and effective. In team-like settings, our Coach Clinicians help youth build resilience, coping skills, and a sense of belonging. We don't stop there. Lasting change comes when entire communities are involved. That’s why we also deliver training and traditional outpatient clinical support for adults—teachers, clinicians, coaches, mentors, community leaders, and more—equipping them with the tools to support themselves and reinforce healing and growth in others. Together, we create stronger connections and real results on and off the field.