In regards to athlete mental health and the recent scary uptick in suicides...
Pointing the finger and blaming coaches, sports organizations, society, or parents is not helpful right now.
Educating them and equipping them with helpful resources is, but right now there is something bigger at play…
The #1 Most Important thing we can do right now is to give back control and autonomy to these fragile high school and college aged students. We need to help them take back control of their health and happiness.
What do I mean by that?
In the Summer of 2019 we had 6 young ladies come home from their freshman year of college sports absolutely Crushed. Demoralized. It took us a few powerful sessions to help them recognize that they had unconsciously put their own mental and emotional health in the hands of their coaches, peers, and society.
We were able to effectively help them take back control with a few powerful re-frames, paradigm shifters, tools, and simple reminders.
The moment you give someone else control of your own mental or emotional health is the moment you lose yourself.
If we do not start equipping, empowering, and educating our student-athletes on how they can master their mindset, manage their emotions, and generate gratitude and joy regardless of circumstances, they are going to experience a life full of pain.
Bad things happen in life. The world is filled with greedy, angry, and self-centered people who look out for their own best interest. This will never change as long as we are alive! (and I am probably one of the most optimistic people you’ll meet)
Do you want your child’s health and happiness to hinge on the unlikely chance that their coaches and society will change?
Or, do you want them to be so confident, resilient, courageous, and steadfast that they remain mentally and emotionally healthy regardless of people or circumstances?
Too many kids right now are depending on the world around them to change before they can experience freedom and fullness of joy.
The world does not get easier after college.
We know that getting older has nothing to do with getting stronger or wiser.
We need to have this discussion…
My heart aches deeply for these young men and women who are stressed, depressed, and even suicidal. These kids, who have taken their lives because their sports experience became so painful, deserve to be living right now. Their families should be able to go and pick them up from college next month.
Am I TICKED OFF at the things that have led to sports on a pedestal and kids placing their value in what a coach thinks? In their status? In a GAME? You bet!
Is there ANYTHING that pains me more than an overzealous, self-absorbed, cruel coach? No, not really.
But, despite all this, the one truth remains: the ONLY person we can control is the one in the mirror.
We want to go on a journey with your student and equip them with the skills, beliefs, and paradigms that will allow him or her to:
1. Master their Mindset. They need to develop at least a basic understanding of their own psychology and beliefs so that they can begin re-shaping, re-framing, and making new decisions.
2. Regulate their Emotional State. Feelings are the fuel of life. If we don't know how to shape negative experiences into empowering meanings, our life will be full of regret, disappointment, and scarcity. And I know you do not want that for your child.
3. Generate Confidence, Gratitude, and Joy rather than hoping for it. These emotional “happy places” do not happen by default.
There is a "recipe" that leads to this type of life experience for your children. The problem is, most are using the wrong recipe. Most are starting with the wrong ingredients.
In the same way, we have done it with so many of our college students at PFP, we want to help your student make a profound mental shift- we want to engrain the belief in their minds and hearts where they start to view most challenging people and situations in life as blessings, as opportunities, as the very things that will make their life better in the long run.
This is why we are beyond excited to announce that on JUNE 1st at 7:30 pm, we will be hosting the first ever athlete empowerment event at PFP called “Take Back Control”.
This transformational event will equip your high school or college aged athlete with everything they need to regain control of that which matters most: their thoughts, their narrative, and the way they feel about themselves.
The Details:
What is it? We will have an opening keynote presentation followed by a powerful discussion with a panel of impact-driven, world class psychologists, coaches, mentors, and former college athletes.
Cost: FREE
Who: college and high schoolers, parents, coaches
When: Wednesday, June 1, at 7:30 pm
Will it be filmed? Yes
Can younger kids attend? We are encouraging only high school and college aged students to attend the event.
Bonus: Everyone who registers and attends will receive a free copy of my book, “The Youth Truth”.
Keep an eye out for an email in the next week or so that will contain a link to register for this event so we can prepare appropriately! Do not miss this, it is going to be life-changing for your students.
All the best,
Andrew Simpson and the PFP Team
