Slam Dunking Stress: Mental Health Takes Center Court in Klinic Kids Program
“Ready for that rematch?” Grant 8th grader Dominic Davis asked one of his coaches as he entered the gym after school.“You know it!” the coach replied.
Dominic has something to prove: the previous week, his coach had beat him 5-0 in a game of basketball, and he was ready to make his comeback.
Thanks to the Klinic Kids program, SCSD elementary and middle school students have enjoyed the chance to engage with professional basketball players, coaches, and trainers from around the world. Over the course of six weeks of sessions, the students participate in basketball drills and competitive games, enhancing their skills and strengthening their mental fortitude. Perhaps more importantly, thanks to a partnership with an organization called Half Hood Half Holistic, the students are also introduced to mental health and wellness concepts.
“The biggest piece of Klinic Kids is introducing that mental health component,” Kashif Hameed, affectionately called ‘Coach Kash’ by his students, shared. “Especially in underserved areas, where the waiting list to receive mental health services is so long. We want to hook them with basketball and help them improve those skills, but our primary focus is introducing those concepts that will help them regulate day to day.”
Each session, in addition to the basketball instruction, students are introduced to concepts including gratitude, meditation, paced breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, goal setting, and more – all in an engaging and fun way.
“Not only are they getting better at basketball and building those skills, they’re also building their community and learning about mental health in a real life setting,” Klinic Kids Mental Health Lead Rachel Johnson, founder of Half Hood Half Holistic, explained. “They may not all become pro ball players, but they’ll all remember this as a formative part of their life… it’s all about positive affirmation and positive reinforcement.”
Last year, the Klinic Kids program was rolled out in four SCSD schools… to such success that this year, it has expanded to reach eight! Now, students at McKinley-Brighton, Webster, Seymour, Grant, Dr. Weeks, Delaware, STEAM at Dr. King, and Syracuse STEM at Blodgett are invited to participate in the free program each week.
“If you’re locked in, say ‘locked in!’” Coach Kash shouts to a gym full of students huddled around him.
“Locked in!” they all shout in response.
“If you have Klinic Kids on your shirt, that means you’re part of this family. And that means we don’t tear each other down – we build each other up. Say ‘build each other up!’”
“Build each other up!” the students shout enthusiastically.
That positive messaging is part of the program’s appeal for students.
“It’s an amazing opportunity,” HW Smith 6th grader Lovell Sims, who participates in the program at McKinley-Brighton, shared. “I love basketball, and the sense of community here is so good. It’s a healthy environment. If we come in and we’re in a bad mood, one of the coaches will help us feel better. I just love it. Every day I come back, I learn more and I do better. This really makes me feel like I can do anything!”
“I love to play basketball with my friends,” Grant 7th grader Angel Viamontes added. “I want to work on my basketball skills! But at Klinic Kids, we also learn about the importance of wellness and taking care of ourselves. They train us on how to pass and shoot, and also why we should stay hydrated and how to take deep breaths to stay calm. Being here helps me be better in life. It’s taught me how to control myself and my emotions when things are tough.”
Klinic Kids participants also have the opportunity to receive special prizes and participate in special experiences. Late this fall, for example, school administrators at each participating location were asked to select one student to represent the group on a trip to New York City – where they were invited to meet 2016-17 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. Students were treated to seats in the VIP skybox, and then had the chance to meet players, watch the game, and take pictures with Mr. Westbrook himself.
What a wonderful opportunity to help students improve their physical and mental health – thank you to the Klinic Kids team for offering this experience to our students!
