Well-Played is a first-of-its-kind mental health initiative designed to support athletes from early childhood through adulthood. By creating a connected, research-backed ecosystem of resources for athletes, parents, and coaches, Well-Played establishes a clear, continuous pathway for mental wellbeing at every stage of the athlete journey.
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We’re placing athlete mental health at the center of performance, resilience, and long-term wellbeing.
Well-Played is a unified approach to supporting athlete mental health. Our centralized platform brings the entire ecosystem together, offering trusted resources to build resilience, strengthen support systems, and promote long-term mental health.
While most sports-focused initiatives treat mental health as one piece of the puzzle, Well-Played puts it at the center, making mental health the foundation for athlete wellbeing and performance.
With several golf-focused organizations as early cornerstone partners, the initiative will launch with a focused commitment to the golf community.
Our pathway for mental health in sports
Stage 1: Early Childhood
5-12 years
Stage 1 is designed for our youngest athletes, with a focus on building a strong foundation in both sport and self. This stage introduces age-appropriate concepts around mental health and well-being.
Participants develop essential life skills such as social awareness, emotional regulation, and the ability to form trusted relationships. The goal is to help children grow with confidence, connection, and a healthy understanding of themselves and others.
Stage 2: Teens
13-18 years
Stage 2 centers on teen athletes and the unique challenges they face while competing at the club or high school level. This stage focuses on helping teens navigate increasing pressure, performance expectations, and the evolving dynamics of identity and relationships.
Athletes are equipped with practical tools to strengthen peer connections, build resilience, and maintain balance across sport, school, and personal life. Emphasis is placed on sleep, nutrition, performance, and developing a growth mindset alongside a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Stage 3: Young Elite athletes
15-23 years
Stage 3 is tailored for high school and collegiate athletes competing at an elite level. It addresses the heightened demands of performance, academics, and personal development while preparing athletes for success during and beyond their competitive careers.
This stage provides strategies to manage pressure, sustain mental well-being, and foster healthy relationships. Athletes are supported in balancing performance with life responsibilities, while deepening resilience, identity, and family engagement as part of a well-rounded support system.
Caregivers & Coaches
This stage is dedicated to the adults who support and shape the experiences of young athletes. It provides practical tools and educational resources to help caregivers and coaches build strong, healthy relationships with the athletes in their care.
Through a focus on empathy, self-awareness, and clear expectations, adults learn how to navigate conflict, support emotional development, and promote overall well-being. Attention is also given to sleep, nutrition, and meaningful family engagement as key parts of an athlete’s support system.
Post-Career Athletes
This stage supports athletes as they transition out of competition and into the next chapter of their lives. It focuses on redefining identity beyond sport and building a strong sense of self in a new context.
Participants are guided in developing self-awareness, managing expectations, and navigating change, including shifts in relationships and routine. Emphasis is placed on maintaining well-being through healthy habits, strong connections, and continued family engagement.
General Resources
This collection offers accessible tools and guidance for maintaining strong mental health at any stage. It is designed to support individuals in building habits that promote resilience, balance, and overall well-being.
Resources focus on practical strategies that can be applied in everyday life, helping individuals strengthen their mental health and sustain it over time.
INITIATIVE COLLABORATORS
The Current State of Mental Health in Youth Sports
World-class athletes have sparked a global discussion around mental health, triggering an important narrative in sports. We are attempting to get ahead of the issue, rather than waiting until athletes are playing at the elite level.
Estimated number of children ages 6-17 participating in youth sports in the U.S.
Percent of student-athletes report experiencing mental health symptoms on a daily basis
Percent of elite athletes who struggle with mental health problems at some point in their lives
What makes Well-Played Different?
There’s currently no unified approach to supporting youth athlete mental health, leaving athletes, parents, and coaches to navigate fragmented systems on their own.
Well-Played changes that. Our centralized platform brings the entire ecosystem together, offering trusted resources to build resilience, strengthen support systems, and promote long-term mental health.
As a first-of-its-kind collaborative, we connect athletes at every level, along with the coaches and caregivers who support them, to a vetted network of expert partners.
While most sports initiatives treat mental health as one piece of the puzzle, Well-Played puts it at the center, making it the foundation for athlete wellbeing and performance.
Welcome to a new approach to mental health in sports
Interested in learning more about the initiative or how you could get involved?