HOORAY Seminar Series: Third Session Recap
Mind in Motion: Enhancing Mental Health through Sports
The HOORAY project successfully held its third and final webinar on May 22nd via Zoom. This session was designed for psychologists, mental health professionals, and anyone interested in:
- Exploring the latest research in sports psychology
- Discovering evidence-based practices to support youth well-being
- Learning about safeguarding strategies in sports environments
- Engaging in expert discussions to shape future interventions
Attendees were encouraged to share and discuss real-life projects, activities, and situations involving adolescents engaged in regular physical activity.
Presentations of Research Findings
The webinar began with a brief overview of the HOORAY project, outlining its purpose and the need for such an initiative. The first part of the session featured a presentation on the research and findings that underpin the HOORAY project. These evidence-based insights emphasized the role of sport in promoting adolescent mental well-being.
“What Works? Understanding the Relationships Between Sport, Physical Activity, and Mental Health”
Presented by Prof. Dr. Richard Peter Bailey FRSA
Prof. Bailey shared recent research on the positive impacts of physical activity on adolescent mental health. He outlined effective strategies and interventions that organizations can implement to improve mental well-being through sport.
The second half of the webinar featured guest speakers who presented on their experiences working with youth and mental health through sport-related initiatives:
1) ICEHEARTS: The Role of Mentorship and Community in Fostering Well-Being
Nelli Niemelä, Responsible for Development
Niemelä introduced the Icehearts project, discussing its origins and the significant impact it has had on the community where it was implemented.
2) Youth Safeguarding in Sport
Réka Bartók, Sport Psychologist
Reka presented practical strategies for creating safe and inclusive sporting environments for adolescents.
3) Can Sports Replace the Need for Psychological Counseling?
Erik van Haaren, Vice-Chair of ENGSO Youth
Erik explored the potential for sports to meet some of the psychological needs of young people, raising important questions for future research and intervention.
Interactive Open Discussion
An open discussion session allowed participants to engage directly with the speakers, share experiences, and ask follow-up questions. This interactive component facilitated meaningful knowledge exchange and encouraged collaborative dialogue among attendees from diverse professional backgrounds.
Upcoming HOORAY Event
The HOORAY project will culminate with its final conference on June 6th in Munich. This event will synthesize the discussions and insights from the webinar series, bringing together mental health professionals to explore integrated approaches to supporting youth mental health through sport.