Things are constantly changing in all facets of life. Times are different and that’s evident at every turn. Youth athletics are no exception. In the last decade alone, we’ve watched the travel basketball landscape shift from a highly competitive setup with terrific structure into something else completely. While the general positives and negatives can be saved for later, the pressure placed on kids and how it impacts their mental health is worth acknowledging. It’s often overlooked because we are talking about kids playing a sport, and what is supposed to be considered a fun game. However, the expectations (typically of adults) take things to another level.
The concept of working hard and harnessing athletic gifts to receive the opportunity to play in college is for a minimal number of individuals. It might not feel this way due to living in a talent-laden state like North Carolina, but the percentages do not lie. Let’s reiterate the harsh reality: only 3% of high school basketball players will play in college and only 0.03% make it professionally in any capacity. In different terms, 97% will never play in college and 99.7% will not play for money. People have become so obsessed with “making it” that they neglect to realize the glaring improbability. Why does this matter for youth sports? Ultimately, too many folks view this as an alternate avenue for life…and that’s usually an unhealthy approach.
That’s why focusing on oneself is important. Talking to people about the stressful nature of life is nothing new. Unfortunately, it’s something that regularly gets overlooked in children and young adults. Too many kids are going through the daily grind and conducting themselves as adults (whether for better or worse) much earlier than necessary. Basketball is an amazing connector in so many ways, but adults should allow kids to be kids. The mental, physical, and emotional toll has reached new heights in youth sports over the recent years, and programs like www.nchealthpartners.com have the resources to help those in need.
Between MST Services, School Based Therapy, Youth Diversion Programs, Intensive In Home Care, In Home Therapy, Outpatient Therapy, Community Support Teams, and Peer Support, they have a litany of options to explore. They specialize in being an inclusive entity who offers “accessible, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based mental health services that empower young people to lead fulfilling lives and reach their personal goals.” There’s a lot of emphasis surrounding mental health in today’s climate, and it’s important to utilize all available resources for these kids and young adults.