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.
1810 Helpline
18120: The new free psychological support hotline for athletes.
In collaboration with the Federation of Mental Health Organizations "Argο" and under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.
With the aim of providing immediate support to young athletes aged 10 and older, as well as their coaches and parents who seek professional help for everyday mental health issues, the free 18120 support hotline was created and made available 24/7.
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.
Therapists Tips
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.
What the experts say:
Pinelopi Tzirka
Psychologist
Sports are a realm of intense emotions. Young athletes learn early on how to express their emotions appropriately, regulate them, and understand the emotions of others.
Kostas Chatzoulis
M.D. - Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist
Orthopedics and sports medicine in athletics intervene to advise, guide, and implement— alongside other collaborators—a program of athletic preparation, health study, and physical fitness for young athletes within a preventive framework. Of course, it also aims to treat injuries when they occur. This advisory and intervention practice involves not only the young athlete but also their environment, including parents, coaches, and management. The goal is to improve athletic mental health by boosting self-confidence, preventing injuries, enhancing performance, and understanding treatment and recovery when necessary.
Nikos Georgiadis
Athlete Mental Health Counselor
Mental toughness is cultivated early within the family, but sports offer athletes opportunities to develop valuable mental strengths that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Petroula Reisi
Psychologist
The boundary is what connects and separates people at the same time. Sports give us the opportunity to learn the limits of ourselves and others, which is essential for our psycho- cognitive development.
Vasiliki Bellou
Psychologist
Anxiety in sports, just like in life, stems from the fear of failure and the high expectations we have for success. Fortunately, there are techniques that athletes can be trained in to prevent anxiety from sabotaging their efforts.
Manos Giakoumakis
MSc in Sports Nutrition
Training starts from your plate. A healthy and balanced diet will take you to the top.
Sofia Botelli
Sports Nutritionist
Nutrition is the only fuel for athletes. That’s why they need to learn to choose the right 'fuel' for their sport, meaning the right foods at the right time, to achieve optimal performance.
Glykeria Balogianni
Psychologist
In every sports journey, motivation is the force that pushes us to surpass our limits and achieve our goals.
Personal stories
Personal stories from renowned sports figures.
Six renowned sports personalities share their personal stories and convey a message of hope.
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.
Stories