1. Jamie Valis Senior Manager, Health Training
Emotional Wellness
Jamie Valis
Senior Manager, Health Training

2. Emotional Wellness
“A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” (World Health Organization)

3. Signs of Stress Emotional Signs Physical Signs
Becoming easily upset or mad
Feeling overwhelmed
Having difficulty relaxing
Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem)
Avoiding others
Inability to focus
Constant worrying
Poor judgement/decision making
Worrying a lot
Physical Signs
Low energy
Headaches
Upset stomach
Tense muscles
Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
Trouble sleeping
Nervousness and shaking
Stomach issues
Aches and pains

4. Strong Minds
Strong Minds is an interactive learning activity focused on developing adaptive coping skills. Competition provides a natural opportunity to develop active strategies for maintaining emotional wellness under stress, such as: thinking positive thoughts, releasing stress and connecting with others.

6. Overview of Strong Minds What Happens at an Event
What Happens at Strong Minds
Athletes try a few different active coping strategies as they move through the stations. Before exiting, athletes identify the strategies they like best and volunteers provide them with visual reminders to use these tools in competition and in daily life.  
Where do the Strong Minds activities come from?
The content is derived from evidence-based models of self-regulation (Gross & Thompson, 2007), social-emotional learning (Catalano et al., 2004) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MSBR; Kabat-Zinn, 1979).
How Was Strong Minds Developed?
The activities were created by a team of mental health professionals with experience working with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Ten revisions to the activities have occurred since 2014, through a series of pilot events that provided helpful feedback from athletes, coaches, caregivers, volunteers and Clinical Directors.

7. Stations

8. Overview of Strong Minds Importance and Impact
12% of athletes report having no coping strategies
62% mostly use avoidant strategies (e.g., not think about the stressor), which is associated with increased depression
26% mostly use active strategies (e.g. doing something to help themselves feel better), which is associated with increased well-being
Hartley & MacLean, 2010
World Games 2017 Results
Station
Athletes Positive Response
Athletes Interested in using Strategy in the Future
Volunteer Reported Athlete Engagement
Stress and You
97.7%
82.0%
100%
Strong Messaging
93.8%
86.3%
92.3%
Strong Breathing
96.3%
82.5%
Strong Stretching
97.9%
87.3%
Strong Supporting
96.0%
86.6%
76.9%

9. Volunteers
CDs: Certificate and current licensure as a Mental Health professional (ie. Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Counselor.) Volunteers: Students or professionals in any of the following fields: mental health (social work, psychology, counseling), Occupational Therapy, MD, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians Assistants, Speech Therapists, Yoga instructors, Mindfulness/meditation experts.

10. Strong Minds Way Forward
Unfied Schools
Athlete Leadership
Coach Resources
Young Athletes
Caregiver Support
Etc.

11. Questions? Jamie Valis Senior Manager, Health Training