NEW Mental Performance Corner

  The Mental Performance Corner  With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Breakthrough Basketball is thrilled to begin bringing you content from one of the most highly regarded Sports Psychologists in the United States…Danielle McDonough!  Let me briefly introduce you to Danielle McDonough and give you her background.  - MA in Sport & Exercise Psychology - Former D1 and Professional athlete - Dedicated to helping athletes improve their mental side of performance since 2010 - Has helped numerous athletes achieve their goals of D1 scholarships - Has helped numerous teams unite to win Championships - Authored books and created courses to help athletes, parents, coaches - And has helped numerous athletes conquer mental barriers - both in sport and life! Breakthrough Basketball will be sharing content from Danielle McDonough in our new segment, The Mental Performance Corner designed to help athletes, parents, and coaches succeed in sports and life through the development of effective mental skills. To start this segment, I’d like to share an article that comes directly from Danielle, where she explains how and why there’s a mental health crisis in youth athletics, as well as what we can do about it. Enjoy the content, and feel free to respond with any questions or sports psychology topics you’d like us to prioritize in upcoming segments of The Mental Performance Corner. Prioritizing Mental Health In Youth Sports: A Call To Action May is more than just the beginning of warmer weather and blooming flowers; it's also Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to shine a spotlight on the critical importance of mental well-being, especially in the context of youth sports. In this blog post, we'll delve into the staggering statistics, the underlying issues, and most importantly, the proactive steps we can take to create a healthier environment for young athletes. The Numbers Don't Lie Youth sports have evolved into a massive industry, currently valued at $30 billion and projected to reach $70 billion in the next five years. However, behind these impressive numbers lies a troubling reality: 70% of young athletes quit by age 13 due to overwhelming pressure. This pressure stems from early specialization, year-round play, overtraining, and the resulting stress and anxiety.  Even for those who continue past age 13 into high school sports, the challenges persist. Shockingly, 91% of high school athletes experience depression, and 35% of elite athletes face mental health crises. Despite these mental health struggles, less than 2% of high school athletes receive scholarships to play in college.  The Mental Health Crisis in Youth Athletics One of the most alarming consequences of neglecting mental health in youth sports is the rising suicide rates among college student-athletes. Suicide has become the second leading cause of death among collegiate athletes, right after accidents. This stark reality demands urgent attention and action.  A Call to Action It's clear that we must do better. Rather than solely focusing on athletic achievements and scholarships, we need to prioritize the overall well-being of our young athletes. This means reevaluating the culture of early specialization, rethinking the intensity of year-round play, and reducing the pressure that leads to mental health crises.  Investing in mental health resources, coping strategies, and support systems is not just a recommendation; it's a necessity. By equipping young athletes with the tools they need to navigate challenges, manage stress, and prioritize their mental well-being, we can create a positive and sustainable path forward.  Join the Movement As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, let's join forces to drive meaningful change in youth sports. It's time to shift the conversation, elevate mental health awareness, and implement actionable strategies that promote a healthier athletic experience for our youth.  Together, we can turn these troubling statistics around and ensure that young athletes not only excel on the field but also thrive mentally and emotionally, setting them up for success well beyond their playing days. Join us in prioritizing mental health in youth sports. Let's make a difference, one step at a time. Written By: Danielle McDonough,M.A. Sport & Exercise Psychology Athlete Mindset Coach | Author | Former DI/Pro Athlete  This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you indicated that you'd like to receive emails and updates from Breakthrough Basketball on 2016-12-16 05:42:39. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please [Change Your Email Preferences]( or [Unsubscribe All]( Copyright © Breakthrough Basketball, LLC. All rights reserved. Breakthrough Basketball, LLC. | 5001 1st Ave. SE, Ste 105 #254 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 52402 [email.gif] . It’s our mission to build a strong community centered around basketball, personal development and most importantly - fun! We love to create extraordinary and useful products and share them with you! We love to help people learn how to enjoy the game of basketball at the next level by simply creating the right products that they use in their practices and games. Every day we are building and strengthening partnerships with companies and coaches that are in alignment with our own values. We particularly love working with coaches, players, and parents because through their passion and their craft they help elevate the game of basketball. As much as we care about basketball, we also care about your privacy. Breakthrough Basketball is owned and operated by Breakthrough Basketball. We are committed to advising you of the right to your privacy, and strives to provide a safe and secure user experience. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, store and use personal information, provided by you on our website. When you visit our Web site you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and Web site use information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our Web site. For example, you may need to provide the following information: • Name • Website URL information • Email address • Home and business phone number It also explains how we collect and use non-personal information. By accessing and using our website, you explicitly accept, without limitation or qualification, the collection, use and transfer of the personal information and non-personal information in the manner described in our Privacy Policy. Please read this Policy on our website(s) carefully, as it affects your rights and liabilities under the law. If you disagree with the way we collect and process personal and non-personal information, please do not use this website. This Policy applies to this website as well as all webpages Breakthrough Basketball hosts. It regulates the processing of information relating to you and grants both of us various rights with respect to your personal data. It also informs you of how to notify us to stop using your personal information. We are located in the United States of America. You may be located in a country that has laws which are more restrictive about the collection and use of your personal information. However, by using our website, you agree to waive the more restrictive laws and agree to be governed by the laws of the United States of America. If you wish to view our official policies, please visit our website.