COLORADO SPRINGS — There is a growing focus on youth mental health.

“We know as families we have to check in, how are you really doing? And then we have to know what to do if they’re not doing so well,” said Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a member of the TrueSport advisory board.

A symposium hosted by TrueSport in Colorado Springs focused on the effects of youth sports on mental well-being.

The principles also apply to other activities such as universities and the arts.

Experts, Olympic athletes, coaches and youth gathered at the USA Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs for workshops and discussions on strategies in sports programs to help protect and improve mental well-being.

Olympic athletes such as Winter Olympian and luge silver medalist Chris Mazdzer provided insight from their sporting careers.

“Exhaustion is 100% real. When you’re trying to study, play sports, have family obligations, friends, social media… your life doesn’t stop, literally, it doesn’t stop,” Mazdzer said, “It’s hard to stop and find time to all it takes to get. back and get well again.”

Some of the solutions offered by experts include:

· Take breaks from social media.

· Similar to giving your body time to recover, do the same for your mind.

· Build better communication between adults and youth.

The goal is proactive strategies that work on mental well-being as a way to reduce the risk of mental illness.

Click here to learn more about TruSport and its programs

Original drawing of the purple heart exhibited at the Money Museum

The Colorado Springs Money Museum displays an original drawing of the medal by its designer, John Sinnock. It gives people a chance to learn about the history of the medal and is a representation of the dangers faced by members of the Armed Forces.

Original drawing of the Violet Heart exhibited at the Money Museum