CLEVELAND, Ohio-Nate Moore, a seasoned high school football coach, emphasizes the profound impact coaches can have on their players’ lives. Ohio now requires mental health training for all public school sports coaches, in addition to the existing requirement for a pupil activity permit. Moore acknowledges the importance of this training but stresses that its effectiveness depends on how coaches apply it to support their players.
He believes there should be a broader focus on preparing young people for life beyond sports. Statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness highlight the prevalence of mental health challenges among youth, underscoring the importance of equipping coaches with the tools to recognize and address these issues. The State Board of Education emphasizes that the training aims to help coaches identify risk factors, signs of mental health disorders, and strategies to support youth facing these challenges.
