WHY MHAYA?
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MHAYA is essential as it aims to addresses an important need within the young age group where athletes commonly encounter burnout or disinterest in their sports. Burnout, often triggered by loss of interest and exhaustion, compels young individuals to end participation in a sport they might have otherwise enjoyed later in life. Prolonged feelings of disinterest can escalate into psychological disorders such as anxiety, personality disorders, and depression. While professional help is typically accessible at the college or pro level, many athletes have already abandoned their sports by that point. Children often miss helpful resources due to a lack of awareness. In essence, nobody should endure mental health challenges in sports, as sports are intended to be an enjoyable and exciting part of life.
HOW CAN MHAYA HELP?
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Mental Health for Young Athletes, can play a crucial role in supporting the mental well-being of young individuals engaged in sports through various initiatives and strategies
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Information & Awareness:
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MHAYA's main service is spreading awareness and knowledge of the dangers of mental health in the young athletic community. There is a lack of general understanding on this topic, more specifically indications of poor mental health. By educating people on this, they can be prepared and more knowledgable on mental health and how it could affect their, or someone they know's life.
Professional Resources:
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MHAYA connects schools, teams, clubs, and individuals with professional resources for youth mental health. These resources can provide certified treatments and therapies, further information from licensed professionals, and more to help those who need it.
Educational Resources:
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MHAYA provides educational materials and resources to young athletes, coaches, and parents. These resources may include articles, videos, and workshops that raise awareness about mental health in sports, common challenges, and coping strategies.
Awareness Campaigns:
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MHAYA focuses on launching awareness campaigns to destigmatize mental health discussions in the sports community. This is done through collaborations with organizations in various fields and spaces to generate wide-ranged audiences. By normalizing conversations around mental health, MHAYA encourages athletes to seek help without fear of judgment.
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Anya Kawlekar is the founder of project MHAYA. She is a rising senior at Robbinsville High School, NJ, and works alongside her twin brother and co-director, Ayan Kawlekar. They are both nationally ranked competitive squash players and are very passionate about mental health. Anya founded MHAYA to raise awareness and support the mental health crises amongst young athletes after her own experience as a student athlete.