How sports can be used to overcome ACEs – Mental Fitness
This past week I presented “Mental Fitness for Athletes” for three high school boys and girls’ basketball teams from Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Through the talk was mostly about getting a mental edge in sports – and it went really well- the true mission we’re aiming to achieve in Bridgeport is greater than just a one-off speech.
Many therapists and school administrators are familiar with ACEs, or adverse childhood events. In Bridgeport, there is a large population of “at-risk” kids with high ACE scores.
ACEs can include various types of abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction such as lacking food or medical care, being routinely being abused or sworn at, or having a family member incarceration or strugging with active addiction.
Basically, a ACE score is a way to quantify trauma. The more trauma a child has, the more likely they are to drop out of school, suffer from addiction, go to jail, or even die at a young age. Said another way, the more trauma a child has the more, the scales are tipped against them.
The only way to combat these risk factors is to increase protective factors. That’s how we tip the scales in these kid’s favor.
To tip the scales, we can do 3 things…
1. Teach kids a mindset of resilience BEFORE challenging events occur. This should be taught in the classroom as a standard part of the curriculum.
2. Increase access to mentors and coaches who can show kids a better path is possible. This will reach kids “on the fence” and demonstrate to them that a better way is possible and achievable.
3. Invest in increasing access to sports which acts as a clear protective factor. For every $1 spent on community sports, it can generate nearly $4 in return through reduced healthcare spending and lower crime.
All three levels of these protective factors require community leaders to advocate for and work together to achieve.
Yes, this is a lofty and long term goal. Still, nothing changes without people who believe that change is possible and are willing to put on the work to a make a difference.
Together, we can and will, tip the scales.
