Expanding the Reach for Mental Wellness for Better Performance in Sport & Life
Posted May 24, 2017 By: lisa
Barrie – May 3, 2017 – On Monday, Expand the Reach (ETR), an initiative of New Path Youth and Family Services, held a Mental Health Awareness Workshop in Midhurst in partnership with the Barrie Soccer Club just in time for the upcoming soccer season. The workshop aims to increase coaches’ knowledge of mental health and mental health challenges faced by young athletes, coaches’ comfort level in asking the right questions and responding to the mental health needs of the young athlete and also provides each coach with effective tools and strategies to better support their young athletes.
“We hope that the workshops will help coaches create a positive sport environment, and increase their comfort level in asking the right questions and responding to the mental health needs of the young athletes,” says Lisa Kalfus, New Path Youth and Family Services Residential Supervisor and Expand the Reach Program Manager. “The coach/athlete relationship can be one of the most significant relationships in a young person’s life, so coaches have the potential to play a key role in supporting young people’s mental wellness for better performance in sport and life.”
The Barrie Soccer Club is committed to providing members with an opportunity to enhance the appreciation of the game of soccer through the “Play. Learn. Develop” philosophy.
“We were looking at ways to further educate our coaches on mental health since we have players in our club with various mental health needs. With the start of the soccer season weeks away the timing couldn’t have been more perfect,” says Mark Cristante, Barrie Soccer Club Technical Director. “By giving our coaches’ strategies and confidence in working with kids with various mental health needs this workshop provides us with a great foundation to ensure everyone has an amazing season.”
The “Play. Learn. Develop” philosophy promotes physical, social and leadership skills and enhances the concepts of individual skills, team spirit, sportsmanship, respect for officials and for each other.
“Soccer can boost those that struggle with mental health because it allows them to come into a safe environment, free of any judgement, and engage with others who they share similarities with,” says Ray Garrett, President Barrie Soccer Club. “Soccer also offers social benefits as well as the obvious physical benefits; you can make friends and also lead a healthier lifestyle.”
This workshop has been made available through the financial support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). ETR is a New Path Youth and Family Services initiative in partnership with The Students Commission of Canada Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement, RISE (Athlete Support Programs) and SAMHI (student athlete mental health initiative). For organizations interested in hosting a workshop contact expandthereach.ca
An agency of the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is one of Canada’s largest granting foundations. With a budget of over $136 million, OTF awards grants to some 1,000 projects every year to build healthy and vibrant Ontario communities. www.otf.ca
About New Path Youth and Family Services of Simcoe County
New Path Youth and Family Services of Simcoe County is a government supported, registered not for profit charitable organization. We are an accredited children’s mental health agency providing a range of innovative and accessible services for children, youth and their families throughout Simcoe County. We are the Lead Agency in Simcoe County for Moving on Mental Health (MOMH) committed to leading system change in the County. As Lead Agency, New Path seeks to enhance the experience and outcomes of children, youth and their families seeking assistance with mental health and wellness.
For more information, to donate, or get involved please visit newpath.ca or follow us on social media.
To learn more about New Path Youth and Family Services, to donate, or get involved please visit newpath.ca, follow us on social media Facebook: New Path Youth & Family Services Twitter: @NewPathYFS or sign up for our quarterly TrailSigns Newsletter
Media Contact
Dominika Zapolnik, Communications Manager
New Path Youth and Family Services
Phone: 705.733.2654 x 2240
Email: dzapolnik@newpath.ca
Facebook: New Path Youth & Family Services
Twitter: @NewPathYFS
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Left to right. Matthew Lim, Expand the Reach Program Facilitator and Lisa Kalfus, New Path Youth and Family Services Residential Supervisor and Expand the Reach Program Manager getting ready for the Mental Health for Coaches workshop at the Barrie Soccer Club in Midhurst.
Left to right. Matthew Lim and Keith Hamilton, Expand the Reach Program Facilitators during the Mental Health for Coaches workshop at the Barrie Soccer Club in Midhurs.