“There’s a lot of things you have to overcome as an athlete – physically and mentally,” said Nathaniel Graves, a member of the Guam U17 National Team training squad. “There’s a lot of pressure that you can feel playing in the Guam jersey representing the island and wanting to do your best. It could weigh on you, but having good mental health helps athletes to push through hard times and better enjoy the successful times.”
Graves joined a couple dozen teammates and other players from the Guam U20 National Team training squad in an afternoon session with Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center’s Focus on Life team Tuesday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Through a collaboration with GBHWC that started with GFA’s Football 4 Schools program, Focus on Life project representatives held hour-long sessions over two days with youth national team players on mental health awareness, particularly on the topic of suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. .....