How Do Social Justice and Youth Sports Intersect? ft. Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, Psy.D, CMPC

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director and Gene Beresin, Executive Director

How do social justice issues intersect with youth sports?

Tune in to this bonus episode of Shrinking It Down, featuring Dr. Jonathan Jenkins of the Sport Psychology Program at Mass General, for a thoughtful conversation on how societal concerns, including systemic racism, continue to impact all of our young athletes.

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Young People, Sports, and Mental Health ft. Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, Psy.D, CMPC – Shrinking It Down

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director and Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Sports can be such a positive space for young people to let off steam, learn important life skills, and build long lasting relationships. There are times, though, when it can be too much, injury strikes, or someone doesn’t make the team they were hoping to.

In this must-listen episode, Dr.

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Youth Athlete Mental Health ft. Dr. Mai Uchida, MD – Shrinking It Down

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director, Gene Beresin, Executive Director and Mai Uchida, MD

At what point are we pushing our young athletes too hard? We all watched 15-year-old Russian Olympic skater, Kamila Valieva, exit the ice in tears after a doping scandal.

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Figure Skating’s Identity Crisis: Supporting Our Young Athletes

Image of a child figure skater twirling on ice during a performance

By Leah Morelli, MD and Mai Uchida, MD

It’s been a few weeks since the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, and while the world has moved on to larger news and grief surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the images of young female figure skaters – children – weeping, throwing their hands up in distress and storming away from cameras, continue to perpetuate a dark sinking feeling wi

Simone Biles – Choosing Mental Health Over Defending Olympic Gold

Simone Biles waving and smiling at the 2016 Rio Olympics

By Mai Uchida, MD

This piece on Simone Biles is one in a series by Dr. Uchida on athlete mental health. Watch more with figure skater Mirai Nagasu, and read more on tennis player Naomi Osaka.

Naomi Osaka – Shining Light On Athlete Mental Health

Naomi Osaka in action - mental health - © Creative Commons / Rob Keating

By Mai Uchida, MD

This piece on Naomi Osaka is one in a series by Dr. Uchida on athlete mental health. Watch more with figure skater Mirai Nagasu, and read more on gymnast Simone Biles.

10 Important Steps for Parenting Young Athletes

Parents shouting from sidelines at flag football game for 5 and 6 year old athletes

By Steven Schlozman, MD

Some parents on the sidelines at their children’s athletic events behave quite badly.

Also, the sun sets in the west.

In other words, the fact that parents get out of hand at their kids’ games isn’t exactly groundbreaking news.

Would You Allow Your Child To Play Football?

Teenagers on a football team wait for their turn on the field

By Steven Schlozman, MD

Here in New England, it’s getting just a little bit cooler. The shadows are growing longer, and there’s the tiniest sting to the morning breeze. I know that in other parts of the country it’s still pretty hot, but I bet folks are realizing some kind of change in the air.

After all, fall is just around the corner.

Encouraging Family Fitness

By Ellen Braaten, PhD and Stephen Power, NASM Certified Personal Trainer

When parents are asked about some of the favorite times spent with their kids, one of the most common things they’ll note is the time they spent doing physical activities together.