As a lifelong athlete, sports have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I loved being part of a team and working toward a common goal. Through sports, I developed leadership, resilience, and a sense of self that continue to shape who I am today.

At the same time, I witnessed firsthand how many athletic environments tolerated harmful coaching behaviors and prioritized performance over athlete wellbeing. These experiences contributed to my own mental health struggles and left me questioning why I even bothered with sports in the first place.

As I began my own journey toward healing, I realized my experience was not unique. I met countless young athletes whose mental health challenges were tied to unsafe sports environments and negative coaching practices. These conditions, combined with the stigma surrounding mental health, often lead young people to drop out of sports when they need them the most.

It became clear that something needed to change.

The Youth Athlete Project (YAP) was founded on the belief that youth sports have the power to positively change lives, but only when athletes are supported in safe environments. YAP works directly with young athletes and coaches through education, prevention-focused programming, and mental health support. We emphasize proactive, collaborative, and preventative strategies with coaches rather than punitive measures.

Our vision is to reimagine youth sports so that every athlete feels seen and valued. No child should have to choose between their wellbeing and their performance. And no athlete should leave the sport they love because of unsafe environments or stigma. We are committed to creating a future where young athletes can thrive; a future where sports become a source of empowerment, growth, and lifelong resilience for every child.

- Abby Merhege (she/her), Founder and Executive Director