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Strong Minds (Emotional Health)

Strong Minds is an interactive learning activity focused on developing adaptive coping skills. Competition provides a natural opportunity to develop active strategies for maintaining emotional wellness under stress, such as thinking positive thoughts, releasing stress, and connecting with others. Strong Minds is currently being further developed to include formal mental health screening measures (i.e., CORE-LD30 and WEMWBS-ID) to identify athletes at-risk for mental health concerns. Screening results will inform a more robust referral system to connect these athletes with community-based healthcare professionals.

For more information, please contact strongminds@specialolympics.org .
Welcome to Strong Minds
In honor of World Mental Health Day, join Aly Raisman, Gold Medal Gymnast and Aerie Real Foundation Ambassador and Susan Wang, Special Olympics Sargent Shriver Global Messenger to learn more about Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® Strong Minds.

CLINICAL DIRECTORS

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

EVENT RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT

HAS
  • HAS Form (webpage) The Strong Minds Healthy Athletes Software (HAS) form used to collect and report data at a Strong Minds event. 
Legal Forms Equipment and Supply List  Event Planning Materials
Athlete and Caregiver Resources

Resources for coaches to utilize the Strong Minds strategies during practice and games

Strong Minds Family Forum Mental Health and Wellbeing

HEALTH PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES

  • Health Professional Training  Special Olympics has developed training for healthcare providers on working with people with intellectual disabilities. These free e-learning courses are available online. This interactive learning experience arms healthcare providers with the knowledge and understanding of how to be more inclusive as it relates to health programming and services. 
  • How to Speak with People with Disabilities (video) Whether you are in a health care or other professional environment or just having a personal conversation, consider these basic rules for communicating with a person with an intellectual disability. Download
  • Working with Special Olympics Athletes (PDF)

ADDITIONAL RELATED RESOURCES