Coaches’ Guide: Supporting High School Athlete Mental Health
Positive Coaching Alliance
Summary
This resource helps coaches build the knowledge and confidence they need to be able to navigate conversations with young people about their mental health. The guide focuses in on three simple but fundamental steps that coaches can take to support mental health on their team, recognize and reach out to a struggling athlete, and connect athletes to professional help, if and when it is needed.
HOW AND WHEN IT CAN HELP
- Individual coaches who want to develop their knowledge and skills to support young people with their mental health.
- Soccer Clubs and associations who want to build the capacity of their coaches to better support young people with their mental health.
- Organizations who work (or want to work) in high schools and want to broaden their offer to include mental health support.
- Schools who want their soccer providers to broaden the services they provide to students.
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
This resource has the potential to transform the role of a coach. It allows coaches to build on the unique relationship they have with an athlete, to provide safe and effective mental health support. And while it equips coaches to be play that wider role, it also reassures them that they can be the bridge to professional support rather than having to take sole responsibility for a young persons’ care.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING THIS RESOURCE
- How will your current coaches feel about being asked to use this guide, and potentially have conversations with players about their mental health?
- What support and training can you provide coaches to equip them to work safely in this area, and to ensure their self-care?
- Does your organization have the right links to mental health services so you can respond at times when young people need professional help?
- How might parents and players feel about coaches having this wider skillset and remit?
- Resources and strategies like this can help coaches and other people working in soccer to support players with their mental health. It’s important to note that these approaches do not replace a need for professional treatment, care, and consultation.
- If you have a Safeguarding concern, please visit the USSF Safeguarding Hub for additional information about how to make a report. If you or someone you know is at an immediate risk, please contact your local emergency services.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
PCA’s vision is to build a world where every child benefits from a positive youth sports experience with a coach who inspires them to become the best version of themselves in the game and in life. They train coaches and partner with youth sports organizations, parents, sports leaders, and communities to make youth sports more positive, equitable, and accessible to all kids regardless of social or economic circumstances.
CREDITING CONTRIBUTORS
The Resource Hub is made possible by the generosity of contributors. It demonstrates the rich expertise and collective team spirit that exists across our soccer community.
All resources that have been contributed to the Resource Hub are free for users of the Hub to learn from, adapt and implement in their own organization and community.
Where relevant, we encourage users of the resources to formally or informally credit the resource creator, to acknowledge their expertise and generosity.