One of the most important aspects that the Little League® program is focused on is the mental health and well-being of the Little Leaguers® in our leagues and communities all around the world, as well as what we can all do to support them throughout the year. This May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we continue to find ways to enhance our resources and provide our volunteers and parents with the necessary information to provide the best possible experience on and off the field.
Below are just some of the ways that Little League is continuing the conversation, and all month long will be sharing resources across its social media channels to raise awareness and support its volunteers, parents, and most importantly its players.
Six Innings with MLB and Crisis Text Line Experts
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Little League had a chance to catch up with Shairi R. Turner, MD, MPH, who serves as the Chief Health Officer at the Crisis Text Line, and April Brown, MLB Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility and Diversity, for a special Six-Inning Interview on the importance of the mental well-being of young athletes and the work they’re doing to support Little League’s efforts.
In an effort to help increase mental health awareness and support, Major League Baseball and Little League partner with Crisis Text Line, a free, 24/7, confidential text-based mental health service. It’s important for all our participants to know that if you are experiencing feelings of loneliness, sadness, or just being overwhelmed, you are not alone. You can text MLB to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor at Crisis Text Line, or you can connect via web chat at crisistextline.org. This service is available to all Little League participants and is even more important as the summer gears up and teams head into the spotlight of the Little League International Tournament.
Mental Well-Being Landing Page (LittleLeague.org/MentalWellBeing)
While May marks the official recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Little League makes it a priority to focus on the mental well-being of its participants, volunteers, and families all year long. To help parents and volunteers, a variety of resources and relevant information are continuously updated at LittleLeague.org/MentalWellBeing and communicated through newsletters, social media, and other means to enhance the overall Little League experience both on and off the field.
Little League Diamond Leader Training
Training for coaches off the field is just as important, if not even more important, than the training needs for skills on the field, which is why Little League has developed its Diamond Leader Training Program. First piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, this training was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play and today has seen more than 150,000 Little League coaches complete the program. Each month, Little League spotlights a volunteer who has completed the program to learn more about their own experience, which is then shared across LittleLeague.org, the Coaches Box Newsletter, and its official social media channels.
Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. A requirement for all tournament coaches and managers, the Diamond Leader Program has helped make a more positive experience for Little Leaguers in communities all around the world. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.
Take advantage of all the resources available at LittleLeague.org/MentalWellBeing and follow along all month long as we join together to raise awareness on the importance of the mental well-being of our participants. Interested in supporting Little League programs in communities around the world? Show your support today by donating to one of our five core funds at LittleLeague.org/Impact.