Building Bridges in School Sports: Parent, Player, and Coach Perspectives on Communication and Mental Health

Youth sports offer growth and community, yet athletes, parents, and coaches often face misaligned communication and unmet mental health needs. This project piloted a partnership between Indiana University School of Social Work and local high school teams, embedding practicum students in athletic settings. Parent surveys (n=50+) and coach assessments (n=20+) revealed challenges with communication, burnout, injury recovery, and emotional well-being. Social work students provided one-on-one sessions, group meetings (e.g., mindfulness, resilience), and family supports like parent podcasts and webinars. Results show parents and coaches value clearer communication, mental health attention, and stronger cohesion. Findings highlight the promise of embedding social workers in sports to build bridges, strengthen resilience, and support early mental health intervention.