Many young athletes feel pressure to perform and may struggle with stress, anxiety, or burnout, but often don’t speak up. The Childhelp Courage First Athlete Helpline gives kids, parents, coaches, and anyone concerned with abuse or mental well-being in athletics a safe place to talk. The confidential helpline is now available 24/7.
“High-profile cases, most notably the abuse perpetrated by Larry Nassar against athletes within Team USA, demonstrated that even athletes with significant visibility, resources, and access to support can be repeatedly victimized,” Virginia Bagby, director of the helpline, as well as the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline says. “These cases revealed how predators can exploit the structure, culture, and power dynamics of sports to gain access to young people and silence them.”
