Mental Health/Sport Psychology

Gymnastics requires a high level of mental well-being for safe and successful execution.  These resources are designed to help athletes, parents, and coaches recognize and support mental health concerns in athletes and improve mental skills to overcome challenges in sport and life.

General

• Gymnastics Parent Survival Guide

Mental Health

• How Clubs Can Support Mental Wellness for Athletes
• How to Best Support Student-Athlete Mental Wellness and Why It Matters
• Parents: How to Prevent a Workaholic Culture from Ruining Youth Sport
• Athletes: 10 Easy Ways to Build Resilience for Yourself and Your Team
• 5 Ways Caregivers and Coaches Can Support Mental Wellness for Athletes
• Body Image in Gymnastics: Keeping it Healthy
• When Trauma Impacts the Athlete – A Coach’s Guide to Recognize & Respond
• Youth Sport Mental Health – How Coaches Can Help
• Language Around Depression and Suicidal Athletes
• The Coaches’ Guide to Supporting High School Athlete Mental Health
• Supporting Injured Gymnasts’ Mental Health
• Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1 (SMHRT-1): How to recognize and respond to a mental health problem
• How to identify the right provider: The mental health and mental performance services continuum
• Breaking Down the Stigma of Mental Health
• USOPC Mental Health Web Page

Sport Psychology

• How to use Imagery
• Building Confidence
• Goal Setting
• 14 Days of Focus: Developing Mental Resilience & Strength to Peak in Gymnastics
• Mental Toughness in Gymnastics
• Mental Energy Management Skills
• Mindfulness Manual
• What Motivates Athletes? Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation

• How to Navigate the Topics of Gymnast Nutrition, Weight, and Body Image as a Coach or Parent
• Introduction to Sport Psychology: Using Mental Skills to Get the Edge
• Mindfulness Training for Performance Excellence
• Using Imagery in Gymnastics to Get the Mental Edge | PDF