Helping Student-Athletes Lead, Compete, and Thrive
A youth mental wellness and leadership program of Youth Texas Teams and Society of Royals
Mind in the Game is a youth mental wellness and leadership program designed to help student-athletes understand that mental wellness is an important part of being a healthy athlete, teammate, leader, and young person.
The program combines sports, mental wellness education, leadership development, resilience, mentorship, and positive youth development to help student-athletes navigate the pressures they may experience in athletics, school, relationships, and everyday life.
Mind in the Game creates opportunities for student-athletes to develop practical skills they can use both on and off the field.
Participants learn about:
Student-athletes develop leadership skills related to:
Participants explore how mindset and mental wellness can affect their ability to respond to challenges
Mind in the Game encourages student-athletes to contribute to positive team environments.
Sports can teach young people lessons that extend far beyond the playing field.
Discipline, teamwork, preparation, perseverance, communication, accountability, and leadership can become lifelong skills.
Mind in the Game helps student-athletes recognize those connections and apply them to school, relationships, future careers, and their communities.
Participants can connect with coaches, athletes, professionals, mentors, and youth-serving leaders who can provide encouragement, guidance, and perspective.
Mentorship opportunities may include:
Mind in the Game provides opportunities for student-athletes to become leaders within their teams and communities.
Participants may develop projects, campaigns, presentations, or other activities that encourage positive conversations about mental wellness and healthy leadership.
While Mind in the Game focuses on student-athletes, the program also recognizes that not every young person will pursue athletics beyond high school or college.
Participants are encouraged to explore the skills they are developing through sports and how those skills can transfer into:
College
Careers
Leadership
Entrepreneurship
Community service
Professional relationships
Personal development
Youth Texas Teams brings its experience in sports, youth engagement, athletics, media, literacy, leadership, and youth development to the program.
Society of Royals brings its experience in youth mental wellness, suicide prevention awareness, anti-bullying, self-esteem, social-emotional learning, mentorship, leadership, and community partnerships.
Youth Texas Teams and Society of Royals connect sports and mental wellness to help student-athletes develop the skills and support systems needed to thrive
Mind in the Game is designed for student-athletes and young people participating in organized sports, athletic programs, schools, and youth-serving organizations
The program can be implemented through:
Middle schools
High schools
Colleges and universities
Youth sports organizations
Athletic programs
Community organizations
Youth-serving nonprofits
Student-athletes deserve opportunities to talk about mental wellness, develop healthy coping strategies, build confidence, strengthen leadership skills, and know where to turn when they need support.
Mind in the Game helps young people understand that mental wellness is not separate from their athletic journey. It is part of it.