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Creating Safe Spaces: How Schools and Sport Teams Can Support Mental Health Conversations

Author:
Jemma Strain
Jemma Strain
B.S. Psychology
Editor:
Emma Loker
Emma Loker
B.S.
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Good mental health in schools and sports teams helps teenagers perform well, achieve, engage, develop and thrive. However, mental health issues can impact a teen’s emotional and physical health, academic performance, relationships, and self-esteem. 

Educators and coaches play an integral part in teenagers’ lives. They can act as a lighthouse during times of change and upheaval, guiding teens towards healthy, confident choices and personal growth. They are also well-placed to spot any concerning changes to a teen’s personality and behaviors. 

If you’re concerned about a teenager’s welfare, support and guidance are available to you. This article can also help you understand how to have supportive mental health conversations and create spaces where a student feels safe. It does so by covering:

  • What mental health in schools is
  • What mental health awareness in sports teams is
  • How to lead supportive student mental health conversations
  • How to create a safe space in a school
  • School and mental health program options
  • When to seek support for teen mental health conditions
Safe spaces at school

What Is Mental Health in Schools?

Mental health in schools, or mental health in education, refers to awareness in schools of how mental health conditions can affect students. It also involves the understanding that measures should be put in place to protect teen mental health. 

The reason why mental health in schools receives such focus, is that roughly one in six school-aged youth in the U.S. experience a mental health condition each year. However, only around half of these children and teenagers will be given appropriate treatment for what they’re experiencing.1

The most common mental health conditions experienced by youths include attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. Each of these issues has the potential to impact teenagers’ emotional and physical health, relationships, self-esteem, and outlook for the future in a variety of ways.1

As teenagers spend roughly 1,231 hours in school each year, teachers are in a position to identify signs of mental health conditions and provide opportunities for early intervention. Plus, these educational professionals can help prevent mental health conditions by teaching teens how to understand and cope with their emotions in healthy ways.2

In fact, statistics show that teens are almost equally likely to receive appropriate mental health support in school as they are from a specialist service. This demonstrates the importance of the role of schools in mental health.1

What Is Mental Health Awareness in Sports Teams?

It’s well known that exercise can be protective against the effects of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. However, just like with other pressures in a teenager’s life, it’s important to be aware of teen mental health in sports teams. Teens who play sports at competitive levels may be more prone to the stress of meeting high expectations, winning competitions, and not letting teams and schools down. 

The level of pressure associated with team and competitive sports, if not coped with healthily, can lead to teen mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Moreover, competitive sports can also cause injuries, burnout, and lower levels of academic achievement – putting teens at a higher risk of developing mental health conditions.3

As coaches see teenage athletes on a regular basis, they may be able to spot changes to their personalities, behaviors, appearance, and performance, which may indicate mental health difficulties. 

The warning signs of mental health difficulties in teen athletes are similar to the general symptoms of teen mental health conditions, so it may help to recognize these signs. If you’re concerned about a teenager’s mental health, professional and school-based mental health advice and support are available. 

Supporting Student Mental Health Conversations

Different schools and districts will have varying policies on how to support student mental health conversations. It’s good to read up on these guidelines to better understand how to help a student should they need it. 

However, the following advice can help you handle student mental health conversations in helpful and effective ways.4,5

1. Recognize the Signs

The warning signs of mental health issues can vary from student to student, and may also depend on the issues they’re dealing with. However, understanding the basics of how mental health symptoms can show up in teens can help you recognize the signs and take steps towards early identification and intervention. Our article, “Recognizing Warning Signs: A Guide for Teachers, Coaches, and Community Leaders,” can help.

2. Implement “Worry Boxes” or “Time to Talk” Sessions

High school students may prefer to take the first step in talking about their mental health, as this way they’re taking ownership of the problem and not feeling outside pressure to do so. If there’s a designated safe space and time in which mental health is prioritized, students can be provided with clear instructions on how to access this resource in confidence. 

3. Speak to a Mental Health Trained Colleague

If you’re concerned about a student’s mental health, and have not been appointed as being in charge of their well-being (such as a well-being tutor or safeguarding lead), it may be wise to speak to whoever was. They may make time to speak with the student themselves or give you the green light to proceed. 

4. Initiate the Conversation

Gently opening a conversation with a student you’re concerned about may be important – and doesn’t have to be forceful. You could even just start with “Hey, how are you doing/coping lately?” as it shows interest in their well-being. Often, a student may be looking for someone to open up to, so may give you an insight into how they’re feeling. 

5. Be Clear With Them

While you may want to tell a teen that whatever they say will stay between you both, you can’t actually promise this. Protecting a student’s mental health means sharing any information you’re concerned about with their family and professionals within the school who can help them. 

6. Actively Listen and Show Compassion

Actively listening involves more than just hearing a teen’s words – it requires open, empathetic body language and paraphrasing what they’re saying to show you’re trying to understand. 

Further, this may be the first time they’ve spoken about their experiences, so it’s important to let them know that it’s OK to feel the way they do, that they’re not to blame, and they have support. You don’t have to advise them, acting as a listening and supportive ear at this point is enough.

7. Don’t Minimize What They’re Going Through

It can be tempting to try to make a teenager feel better about what they’re going through by saying things like “All teenagers feel like this sometimes.” While you might be trying to help, saying things like this can minimize what a student is saying and cause them to clam up about their feelings. Instead, you can validate their experiences by saying “I’m sorry you’ve had to cope with all this. It must be hard on you.”

8. Ask Them How They’d Like to Be Supported

While you likely have a responsibility to share any information you’re concerned about, you can also ask the student how they would like to be supported. Giving them a role in their own care can empower them, especially if you guide and encourage them to make healthy choices. For instance, you could suggest supporting them in sharing information with their parents, making a meeting for them with a school counselor, or helping them find options for professional support. 

Despite taking all these steps, a student may still not open up to you about what’s going on. However, it’s still important to proceed in taking steps to protect their well-being. You can let them know that you’re there if they change their mind, as well as approach senior staff members to let them know of your concerns. There will be procedures in place to take safeguarding measures. 

Creating Safe Spaces in Schools

Teenagers trying to cope with mental health issues may feel overwhelmed by the busy atmosphere and pace of school from time to time. They might need a comforting, safe space to decompress and feel more able to manage what’s on their mind. 

Teachers, school staff, and coaches can help create such spaces for teenagers. There are a couple of ways to create safe spaces for students and consideration may need to be given to budget and space. However, if you’re interested in doing so, the following guidelines for creating safe spaces in schools can get you started.6,7

Reduce Stigma Around Mental Health:

Mental health should be discussed regularly, and it should be normalized. Open discussions around how it’s both normal and common to struggle with emotions can be done as part of the curriculum and through mental health vocabulary exercises. This way, if a safe space is created within classrooms and schools, students may be more likely to feel free of judgement and shame to use it. 

Talk to the Students:

Many students with mental health issues feel like they don’t have a say in the routines in their lives. By involving teenagers in the planning and designing of safe spaces, they can feel empowered. At the end of the day, the space is designed for them, so it’s important that they feel a sense of ownership over it. 

Choose the Area:

The location of the safe space is almost as important as having the space itself; a student will only use it to cope with their emotions if it’s accessible. The location may depend on the ages of the students. For example, younger teens may feel more comfortable having a safe space within the classroom, while older teens may feel able to cope with their emotions long enough to access a different area. Either way, the space should have enough privacy for them not to feel under the watchful eyes of peers and staff. 

Decorate the Space:

If the safe space is within a classroom, well-placed bookshelves or divider screens may offer privacy. Aim to make the space calming, with low level lighting, soothing colours, and gentle music. The aim is to avoid over-stimulation and, instead, calm the nervous system.

Provide Resources:

The choice of resources may also depend on a group of youth’s age, but they can include self-help guides, cushions, weighted blankets, aromatherapy, and sensory items. Mindfulness tools such as colouring books and art supplies can also help a teen regulate their emotions. 

Consider Supervision:

Teenagers who need to use a safe space may find the presence of a staff member or peer mentor soothing. Staff who are trained in mental health can provide guidance to a teen, while a peer mentor can help them understand that they’re not alone in what they’re going through. Providing appropriate mental health reading materials for these safe space supervisors may also be beneficial. 

In addition to these guidelines on creating safe spaces within a school, if a safe space is not in a classroom, it may be important to signpost to where it is located. This way, students know where it is in advance of needing it. Plus, during times of intense distress, they will be able to find it despite perhaps struggling to concentrate. 

Kids finding a safe space in sports

Schools and Mental Health Programs

Schools and sports teams can support mental health conversations and create safe spaces in which teens can go to manage their emotions. However, sometimes these steps aren’t enough. If a teen is struggling to cope with their mental health, schools and sports teams may need to factor in the support of mental health professionals. 

Educators and coaches can help teens and their families find community-based mental health services, which can assist them with understanding and coping with their symptoms. Additionally, many schools collaborate with community-based mental health services to provide school-based therapy. 

In an initial assessment, a mental health professional will talk to a teen about what they’re going through, and discuss the following treatment options based on their needs and symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is proven to be effective in treating many teen mental health conditions. It works by targeting teens’ thoughts and actions, identifying negative patterns, and helping them build healthy ways of coping. A school counselor may also use CBT techniques.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Sometimes, a teen may experience mental health issues if they’ve experienced negative events, such as trauma. EMDR is an effective way of treating trauma as it changes how these memories are stored in the brain, helping a teen move past trauma and form more positive beliefs.

Interpersonal Therapy

A teen’s relationships can contribute to mental health difficulties. Interpersonal therapy can help them work through these issues and figure out better ways of coping to improve their mental health.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

TMS can be effective in treating treatment-resistant mental health conditions. It’s a non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic fields to activate nerve cells in targeted areas of the brain – improving outlook and mood. 

If a teen has severe mental health symptoms, it may also be important to see a doctor to get a physical check-up. A doctor may also talk about the option of medication, such as anxiolytics or antidepressants, but it’s good to keep in mind that medication works best for long term success when accompanied by therapy. 

Teens playing sport

When to Seek Help for Teen Mental Health Symptoms

If you’re an educator or coach and you’re concerned about a teenager’s mental health, it’s important to seek support as soon as possible. Depending on your role, you may need to speak to a senior colleague or a mental health professional for advice on how to proceed, but guidance is available. 

Mission Prep can support teenagers and their families through their mental health difficulties. Our team of trained, empathetic professionals offer a wide range of treatment options, in various locations, for a variety of mental health conditions. We can also talk teenagers and their parents through the most appropriate forms of treatment for them, including residential mental health treatment programs and outpatient programs. Coping with mental health issues can feel challenging, but Mission Prep aims to make the process as comfortable and accessible as possible for every teen. Contact us today to learn more. 

References

  1. National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Mental health in schools. NAMI. https://www.nami.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/improving-health/mental-health-in-schools/
  2. Kraft, M. A., & Novicoff, S. (2025). Time for school: Assessing the inequality of access to instructional time across the United States. Education Next, 25(1), 32–39. https://www.educationnext.org/time-for-school-assessing-inequality-access-instructional-time-united-states/
  3. Reardon, C. L. (2023). The Mental Health Crisis in Sports: The Perfect Storm of Contemporary Factors. Journal of Athletic Training, 58(9), 677. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0484.22
  4. Mentally Healthy Schools. (n.d.). Tips for starting a conversation about mental health with secondary school children. Mentally Healthy Schools. https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/media/2453/tips-for-starting-a-conversation-about-mental-health-with-secondary-school-children.pdf
  5. HE Professional. (n.d.). How to talk to students about mental health: Top 10 tips. HE Professional. https://heprofessional.co.uk/edition/how-to-talk-to-students-about-mental-health-top-10-tips
  6. Anna Freud Centre. (n.d.). Create a safe environment for pupils and staff. Anna Freud Centre. https://www.annafreud.org/resources/schools-and-colleges/5-steps/promoting-wellbeing/create-a-safe-environment-for-pupils-and-staff/
  7. Gateshead Education. (2021). How to create and use a safe space in schools. Gateshead Education. https://educationgateshead.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3535f-JH-How-to-create-and-use-a-Safe-Space-in-schools.pdf

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