Mental Health
The first pillar of the Empower Forward program by Stoiximan and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Mental Health
The first pillar of the Empower Forward program by Stoiximan and Giannis Antetokounmpo emphasizes the importance of strengthening and promoting the mental health of young athletes, as it is essential for their athletic performance and overall well-being.
Mental health is defined as the emotional and psychological state that enables individuals to enjoy life and navigate disappointments, as well as challenging circumstances. It encompasses a positive sense of psychological well-being and a belief in the inherent value of both ourselves and others.
Providing the 18120 support hotline, along with free consultations and informational sessions conducted by mental health professionals, as well as personal testimonials from athletes.
The primary objective of the hotline is to provide immediate access to psychological support from specialized mental health professionals, who offer guidance and assistance in tackling mental health challenges such as anxiety, competition pressure, and other issues related to the beneficiaries’ athletic journeys.
Free consultations and informational sessions led by specialized mental health professionals
The beneficiaries of the program include athletes aged 12-18, their parents, and coaches from clubs in football, basketball, volleyball, and swimming. The informational sessions for young athletes, parents, and coaches throughout Greece are conducted in partnership with Athlelixis.
This initiative aims to enhance and safeguard the mental health of young athletes, their parents, and coaches by offering free consultations and informational sessions led by specialized mental health professionals. These sessions are designed for athletes aged 12-18, their coaches from sports clubs recognized by the General Secretariat for Sports in football, basketball, volleyball, and swimming, as well as their parents, with the goal of addressing the challenges encountered in the sports environment.
The sessions are held at sports club facilities and led by mental health counselors, psychologists, sports nutritionists, and dietitians. Through these consultations and educational sessions, the goal is to establish a supportive network that strengthens athletes’ mental resilience in both their competitive endeavors and personal lives.
The topics of the informational sessions are diverse, addressing issues such as enhancing mental strength and resilience, recognizing and managing competitive anxiety, training in goal-setting, improving focus, and preventing and addressing both physical and psychological bullying.
In the first phase of the program, more than 250 free informational sessions have been held in collaboration with over 100 sports clubs nationwide, offering support to more than 8,900 individuals.
Stay tuned for the launch of the second phase.
Prominent sports figures, including Demis Nikolaidis, a former international footballer; water polo players Eleftheria and Margarita Plevritou; basketball player Evina Maltsi; judo athlete Elisavet Teltsidou; and swimmer Stergios Marios Bilas, share their personal testimonies, success stories, and the challenges they have encountered throughout their journeys. They serve as symbols of support for the younger generation regarding mental health, encouraging young people to share their own personal stories.
The initiative seeks to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health, with athlete role models emphasizing the importance of mental resilience. Through their experiences and personal stories, they encourage young people to confront mental obstacles with courage and to seek help when needed. By promoting a positive approach to overcoming challenges, they foster mental health, self-confidence, and resilience, helping young athletes thrive both in sports and in their personal lives.
