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ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

MENTAL HEALTH

The first pillar of the Empower Forward by Stoiximan & Giannis Antetokounmpo program focuses on strengthening and promoting the mental health of young athletes, as this is an integral part of their athletic performance and overall well-being.

It is the positive sense of psychological well-being and belief in the worth of both ourselves and others.

Through the creation of the first mental health support hotline in sports 10306 and free presentations and informative conferences by mental health professionals as well as personal testimonies from athletes, we break down prejudices and highlight the importance of preserving mental health in sports from our first steps in it.

THE NEW FREE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT LINE IN SPORTS
10306

In collaboration with the Federation of Mental Health Institutions “Argo” and under the supervision of the Ministry of Health

With the aim of providing direct support to young athletes aged 10 and over, as well as their coaches and parents, who are seeking professional help with everyday mental health issues, the free support hotline 10306 was created and put into operation.

The main objective of the line is to offer immediate access to psychological support from specialized mental health professionals, who provide advice and assistance in dealing with mental challenges, such as anxiety, competition pressure or other issues related to the beneficiaries’ athletic career. This support strengthens their mental health and helps them overcome difficult moments both in sports and in their personal lives.

WORKSHOPS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS LED BY MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

The program focuses on creating a supportive environment around young athletes, recognizing that mental health and emotional empowerment are integral components of both their athletic evolution and overall well-being. It is designed for young male and female athletes aged 12 to 18, their parents, and their coaches, specifically targeting those involved in football, basketball, volleyball, and swimming clubs across Greece.

Through informative and experiential sessions, the program aims at the prevention, early recognition, and management of psychological challenges. These include performance anxiety, the pressure to succeed, the reality of failure, interpersonal relationships, and the demanding nature of daily life.

These initiatives are carried out in collaboration with ATHLELIXI and are led by specialized mental health professionals and scientists with extensive experience in the sports sector. By visiting athletic clubs nationwide, the program facilitates open dialogue, provides scientific guidance, and offers practical tools. This approach strengthens the psychological resilience of young athletes and empowers the entire ecosystem surrounding them, contributing substantially to the development of healthy, balanced, and self-aware individuals, both on and off the field.

Being part of a team with shared goals, support, and camaraderie—together with adopting a healthy daily routine that the child follows with responsibility and commitment—helps strengthen mental resilience.
“Sport is a space of intense emotions. From an early age, the young athlete learns to express their emotions in an appropriate way and regulate them, while also understanding the emotions of others.”

PENELOPE ZIRKA PSYCHOLOGIST

Defeat in sport is not failure. Failure is when we give up trying.

Mental strength is cultivated early within the family, but sport offers athletes equal opportunities to develop valuable inner resources that will serve them throughout their lives.

NIKOS GEORGIADIS ATHLETE MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in sport intervene to advise, guide, and implement—together with collaborators—a programme of athletic preparation, health assessment, and physical fitness for young athletes, within the framework of PREVENTION, and, of course, to TREAT any injuries that may sometimes occur.

KOSTAS CHATZOULIS M.D., ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON – SPORTS MEDICINE SPECIALIST

Limits are what connect people and, at the same time, separate them.

Sport gives us the opportunity to learn the limits of ourselves and the limits of others—something essential for our psychological and intellectual development.

PETROULA REISI Psychologist

Anxiety in sport—as in life—stems from fear of failure and from the high expectations we set for success. Fortunately, there are techniques athletes can be trained in so they don’t let anxiety sabotage their effort.

Vasiliki Bellou Psychologist

Training starts on your plate. A healthy, balanced diet will take you to the top.

MANOS GIAKOUMAKIS MSc IN SPORTS NUTRITION

Nutrition is an athlete’s only fuel.

That’s why an athlete needs to learn to choose the right ‘fuel’ for their sport—the right foods, at the right time—in order to perform at their best.

SOFIA BOTELLI SPORTS NUTRITIONIST

In every athletic journey, motivation is the force that drives us to push past our limits and achieve our goals.

Defeat in sport is part of the process. The mistake we make is focusing on it too much, while ignoring the bigger picture.

GLYKERIA BALOGIANNI Psychologist

PERSONAL STORIES.

Well-known sports figures share their personal testimonies, success stories, as well as the challenges and difficulties they faced along the way. They become symbols for the new generation in favor of mental health, inviting young people to tell their own personal story. The initiative aims to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health, with role models highlighting the importance of mental resilience.

Through their experiences and personal stories, they encourage young people to face mental obstacles with courage and to ask for help when they need it. They promote a positive approach to dealing with difficulties, promoting mental health, self-confidence and resilience, thus helping young athletes to develop both in sports and in their personal lives.