Emotional Wellness Jamie Valis Senior Manager Health Training

Emotional Wellness Jamie Valis Senior Manager, Health Training 1 Special Olympics

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) 2 Special Olympics

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

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. 4 Special Olympics

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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. 6 Special Olympics

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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 & Mac. Lean, 2010 8 Special Olympics 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% 100% Strong Stretching 97. 9% 87. 3% 100% Strong Supporting 96. 0% 86. 6% 76. 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. 9 Special Olympics

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

QUESTIONS? Jamie Valis Senior Manager, Health Training jvalis@specialolympics. org http: //resources. specialolympics. org/Regions. Pages/content. aspx? id=42838 11 Special Olympics