Youth Mental Health Concerns and Sports Concussions

Mental Health Partners is working with Hope Coalition and the Parent Engagement Network to host a 4-part lecture series focused on mental health issues and young people.

Kevin Braney, Director of Training at Mental Health Partners is a former educator and says it is important that we start having these conversations.

“As a former high school principal, teacher, and coach, I was really excited to see MHP start this conversation.”

On November 1st, the lecture will focus on how concussions in sports may lead children to serious mental health changes. Dr. Dawn Comstock, professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health, will present information on how traumatic brain injuries is linked to depression and anxiety among young people.

“Nearly a quarter of all young people with a concussion report some type of psychological stress 4-12 weeks after their injury,” Dr.Comstock tells us, “parents need to be aware of the signs and symptoms.” Dr. Comstock also points out a large problem with how school systems accommodate for injury. “These young athletes are not always receiving the appropriate care they need. … Schools are pretty good about providing appropriate accommodations if a young athlete shows up with a broken leg, but if a young athlete shows up with depression or anxiety … they might not be as good as providing the accommodations that are needed.”

As a former school principle and coach, Kevin Braney says that parents also need to be aware that concussions happen in a variety of sports, not just football. “ I think we should be cautious around limiting it to one or two sports, … the risks are gonna be anywhere we have students competing and a risk of collision.”

“We see concussions in every single one of the 22 sports that we capture data on, … but full contact sports like football and lacrosse tend to have the highest concussion rates.” Dr.Comstock added.

How Concussions in Youth Sports Can Lead to Mental Health Challenges lecture happens on Thursday, November 1 from 6:30 – 8:00pm: Hosted at: YMCA of Boulder Valley, 2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette

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