SKOPJE (North Macedonia) - Amidst the frenetic action at this year's FIBA U18 and U16 EuroBasket Division B competitions, participating players were able to find a welcome moment of calm.
On July 29 and August 11, mental health workshops were successfully conducted for the U18 and U16 national teams, respectively, in furtherance of FIBA Foundation's Basketball For Good objectives.
Led by FIBA Foundation Youth Leader Monika Gjorgjievska, as part of the "Where is Your Mind?" project, two representatives from each participating country were invited to sessions focusing on men's mental health.
Following the European Youth Leadership Seminar held in June, the workshops by Ms Gjorgjievska were part of the implementation phase of the FIBA Foundation Youth Leadership program.
A total of 76 male players registered for the workshops - demonstrating the strong interest and commitment of the young players beyond the court.
A professional sports psychologist provided an overview of mental health, after which participants were paired up for an interactive game. One player was blindfolded and tasked with picking up white papers guided only by his teammate's voice. Meanwhile, others were instructed to make loud distracting noises. Thereafter, participants were asked to reflect on what was lacking in their communication.
Additionally, participants were asked to write down their negative emotions, fears, and anxieties. These were then discussed with a view to transform these negative feelings into positive ones.
"The workshops were highly productive, and it was heartening to see participants begin to view each other as friends rather than rivals. They realized they were not alone in their thoughts, feelings, and doubts," Ms Gjorgjievska told FIBA Foundation.
Based on the positive feedback received, the plan now is to expand these workshops for commissioners and referees. Additionally, the aim is to hold monthly sessions to ensure year-round continuity.
An online platform to support mental health in sports is also in the works, offering resources, information, and space for athletes and stakeholders to connect. Collaborations with an NGO focused on men's mental health are also being explored in order to organize more in-depth interventions.
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The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball's values and its cultural heritage.
The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.
FIBA