Dear Mom & Dad<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Roughly 27.4 million children between the ages of 6 and 17 play sports. And chances are, a parent or guardian comes to watch. The conversation in the minutes after the buzzer sounds is critical and can make or break many young athletes\u2019 self-confidence and self-worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To highlight the effort to change these conversations, Blue KC and the Royals recently unveiled its Open Letter<\/strong><\/a> campaign, featuring a series of larger-than-life letters written by youth athletes to parents, guardians, and coaches. Each letter delivers a powerful 10-foot-high-by-7-foot-wide message about the difficulty of having to constantly succeed. The letters are installed at the Urban Youth Academy and Blue Valley Rec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hear a young boy read from one of the \u201cOpen Letter\u201d submissions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n W<\/a>ATCH NOW<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYoung athletes who experience high external and internal pressures to perform, including pressures from parents and coaches, are more likely to burn out and develop behavioral health conditions,\u201d said Dr. Greg Sweat, Senior Vice President and Chief Health Officer, Blue KC. \u201cThis risk is exacerbated if the child only plays one sport. Coupled with the fact that 50% of lifelong mental health conditions begin by the age of 14, we need to realize the way we talk to our kids about sports can influence success and long-term happiness.\u201d![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/07\/Open-Letter-I-Dont-Look-Forward-to-Playing-1024x572.png\")
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Guided Approach to Post-Game Conversations<\/strong>
Encourage and support the kids in your life during the post-game ride home. Our detailed Conversation Guide<\/strong><\/a>, developed by Blue KC certified behavioral health specialists, outlines a seven-inning approach on how to start a positive dialogue with your child.
Trailer and Upcoming documentary<\/strong>
Since the launch of the two larger-than-life letters, several people have started sharing their own stories on social media about how parents\u2019\/adults\u2019 words and actions have changed them in a negative way.
To continue the conversation and spark change both locally and nationally, the Kansas City Royals and Blue KC have released an extended trailer aimed at telling the story of the toll that perfectionism can take on youth athletes and their mental health.
Watch the trailer now<\/a> and the full-length documentary in Fall 2023.
About Shut Out the Stigma<\/strong>
Shut Out the Stigma aims to eliminate the negativity around behavioral health, remove the stigma, and bring awareness to this important topic. As part of the initiative, and in partnership with the Kansas City Royals, every time a Royals pitcher throws a shutout inning in a game, Blue KC donates $30 to a worthy area nonprofit. To date, we have donated more than $60,000 in support of behavioral health. For more information, support material, and resources, please visit ShutOuttheStigma.com<\/strong><\/a>.
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