Coaches Can Improve Colorado Kids’ Mental Health

Colorado kids love recreation and the outdoors, and 65% of kids between 6-17 played at least one sport in 2025. Youth athletic teams don’t just promote physical well-being; athleticism can be key to kids’ mental wellness, too. Time with friends, sportsmanship, teamwork and confidence are just a few of the positive effects that can come from participating in athletics of all kinds at a young age.

Youth coaches spend some of the most significant time with kids outside their families. That frequently puts them in a position to be the first to notice changes in behavior or performance. Coaches are also most likely to be the first adults on the scene when a child experiences a possible concussion, which can have severe short- or long-term effects like memory loss, mood swings, depression, or a higher risk for self-harm and suicide.

That is why we’re urging Colorado state legislators to support SB 26-060, a common-sense measure to promote mental health training for coaches, led by state Sens. Lindsey Daugherty and Rod Pelton. The bill would make sure coaches across the state receive education in basic mental health, so they can recognize when something may be wrong and how they can help.