Feb 24 Preventing domestic violence and improving mental health
What if we could stop domestic violence before it begins? That very question led to the creation of Coaching Boys Into Men.
A program of Futures Without Violence, Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) is the only evidence-based violence prevention program that trains high school athletic coaches to educate their young male athletes about healthy relationship skills and good mental health practices and that violence never equals strength. And the results? They are undeniable. Two studies funded by the Centers for Disease Control found that athletes (both high school and middle school youth) whose coaches offered 15-minute structured discussions weekly during the sports season were significantly more likely to intervene when witnessing abusive or disrespectful behaviors among their peers, and were less likely to participate in abusive or disrespectful behavior themselves.
Locally, CBIM is led by UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in partnership with Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA, Wesley Family Services, and the Blackburn Center, with support from United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the FISA Foundation. After years of successful implementation in our region and more than 140 coaches trained, and recognizing the mental health challenges young people are experiencing, the decision was made to integrate a mental health enhancement called Team: Changing Minds Responder Ready into CBIM.
Team: Changing Minds (T:CM) is a brief curriculum that turns trusted adults into “mental health responders.” T:CM was developed in collaboration with Futures Without Violence, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and National Council for Mental Wellbeing, with funding from Harry’s. With one 45-minute online self-guided course and three 10-15 minute online refreshers, T:CM trains coaches and other adults to recognize their athletes’ need to discuss mental health and wellbeing, to increase coaches’ confidence in initiating discussions with their athletes about mental health, to understand and share multiple sources of mental health supports, and to improve their own mental wellness.
With support from Staunton Farm Foundation, we were able to complete an in-depth evaluation of T:CM – both assessing shifts in confidence and competence on issues related to mental health and resources, in addition to assessing the overall experience of receiving T:CM training and engaging with T:CM trained coaches.
Overall surveys with coaches show significant increases in confidence and competence in addressing mental health concerns with their athletes. Notably, their ability to recognize mental health challenges increased from 78% before T:CM to 95% after, and their willingness to intervene when seeing a young person struggling increased from 60% to 91%.
Findings from young athletes were similarly positive, with 100% reporting that they would use the resources provided by their coach if they or a peer needed mental health support, and 87% reporting that they know more about recognizing the signs and symptoms that indicate they or a peer may need mental health support.
Coaches also shared stories about how impactful these discussions with their athletes can be:
“The student athletes discussed real situations that have occurred in family or friends’ lives from the past. They were very open during this discussion, and I believe it brought our team together by being able to share with everyone. I believe the discussion on mental health truly impacted our student athletes by letting each other know to always be kind to one another because you never know what the other person is going through in their lives.”
“One direction the conversation ended up going was that talking to someone became a lot less stigmatized. Now, if a kid has to miss practice/leave early for a therapy appointment, they don't hide it. Everyone on the team accepts it as just another appointment, and don't bat an eye. No one cares when a kid leaves for an orthodontist appointment, and now it's just the same reaction for therapy/mental health.”
When trusted adults show up for our youth, the impact is incredible. With domestic violence and mental health issues on the rise, shouldn’t we do everything we can to support the next generation?
Coaching Boys Into Men is always recruiting coaches and community advocates. The training is free, and the results could be life-saving. Learn more and apply today at CoachesCorner.org. To become part of a national network of early mental health champions, sign up for the Responder Ready Training at teamchangingminds.org/become-a-team-changing-minds-responder.