The pandemic put a light on mental health issues for young athletes — and started a dialogue

.....In places where activities have not returned, students — who count on sports for exercise and camaraderie — strongly feel the absence. While the coronavirus has attacked older age groups physically, young adults are the most prone to depression and anxiety, according to research......

.....At Winters Mill High in Westminster, Md., students and school counselors created a group called “Falcons of Strength,” a program for students and staff members to discuss their mental health. Athletes say Falcons of Strength, which is four years old, has been especially beneficial for students during the pandemic, even as it has moved to Zoom. Multiple schools in Virginia’s Fairfax County and Maryland’s Montgomery County offer similar programs......

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Bethany`s Notes: Sports have been a good coping mechanism for students dealing with stress at school or at home. With COVID-19 it has been a challenge for students to find an outlet that works for othem.