CPS Partners with Nonprofit To Provide Mental Health Support To Students

The Cabot Public School District has recently partnered with SideLined USA to provide mental health resources for our students and student athletes. Sidelined USA, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving and advocating for student-athletes whose athletic careers have been cut short due to a medically-forced exit from sport.

As a participating partner in this organization, there are monthly podcasts to listen to that cover a wide range of mental health support topics including: loss, loneliness, stress, managing negative thoughts, how to ask for help, depression and anxiety, pandemic disruptions, triggers, coping skills, thoughts of suicide, facing adversity, cultivating resilience, identity and more. 

The main goal of this partnership between Cabot Schools and Sidelined USA is to provide ample resources to student-athletes equipping them with the necessary mental wellness support tools to conquer obstacles. 

Since partnering with Sidelined USA and its COVID Wellness Initiative, Cabot Public Schools has provided these resources to over 400 student-athletes in the Cabot Athletic Program spanning across six sports teams; Football, Volleyball, Track/Cross Country, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, and Soccer. 

Cabot student-athletes watching a Sidelined USA podcast episode discussing mental health support resources.

Coach Jason Cates, Director of Athletic Training, advocates for his student-athletes and gathered a team of administrators to proactively supply mental wellness support resources through Sidelined USA. 

"We have used Sidelined USA on a case by case need with individual student athletes since its inception. It has been a valuable resource for our athletic training staff when helping our students try and navigate a prolonged period where they could not participate in athletics. I am excited that Cabot Public Schools and Sidelined have partnered together to be able to offer the full program for ALL of our students 7th-12th grade. Especially, trying to navigate COVID this past year with all of the uncertainties and new obstacles it presented, not only in school but also athletics and at home. Sidelined has given our students the ability to learn and to talk about their fears/feelings. It has shown that our district is taking a hands-on approach to mental health issues."

Our administration made the decision to prioritize our student-athletes’s health through this partnership and to offer as much support as we can. By investing in this wellness initiative, we are advocating that mental health is just as important as physical health. "Sidelined USA is creating discussion between student-athletes and coaches and normalizing the conversation about depression and anxiety," applauded Michael Byrd, Assistant Superintendent of Cabot Public Schools.

We are honored to be able to provide specialized guidance and mental health support for our district through the partnership with Sidelined USA.

Click HERE to listen to all the various podcasts currently available with mental health support.