Head Coaching Mentor Remote

VOICE UP

SPORTS & MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT INTERNSHIP

For High School Athletic Programs

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW

The Voice Up Sports and Mental Health Impact Internship is an applied learning experience designed to support high school athletic programs in strengthening athlete wellbeing through coaching practice and team culture.

High school athletes are navigating critical developmental years while balancing athletics, academics, social pressures, and future aspirations. These pressures can influence motivation, identity development, confidence, and mental health. Coaches are often among the most influential adults in a student-athlete’s life and play a critical role in shaping healthy team environments and supportive leadership cultures.

This internship introduces students to evidence-based principles from sports psychology, youth development, and athlete mental health awareness. Participants learn how coaching behaviors, team expectations, and athletic culture affect student wellbeing and long-term engagement in sports.

The internship emphasizes the importance of positive coaching practices, where performance and athlete wellbeing develop together. Participants explore how athletic environments can build resilience, confidence, leadership skills, and healthy identity formation in young athletes.

PROGRAM FOUNDATION

The internship is grounded in research related to youth sports and athlete development, including:

Mental health and wellbeing in youth athletics

Positive coaching and leadership practices

Psychological safety in team environments

Motivation and confidence development

Burnout prevention and healthy participation in sports

Identity development during adolescence

Students learn how high school sports programs can support both competitive success and healthy personal development.

LEARNING GOALS

By the end of the internship, participants will be able to:

Explain key principles of mental health awareness in youth sports

Recognize how coaching behaviors influence athlete wellbeing

Identify common stressors faced by high school athletes

Distinguish between healthy motivation and excessive performance pressure

Analyze how team culture impacts athlete confidence and participation

Develop resources that support coaches in creating healthy athletic environments

INTERNSHIP STRUCTURE

Weeks 1–2: Foundations of Athlete Wellbeing

Participants are introduced to the basics of youth athlete mental health and sports psychology. Topics include confidence development, identity formation in adolescence, and the influence of coaching leadership on athlete wellbeing.

Weeks 3–4: Coaching and Team Culture

Participants explore how coaching communication, expectations, and team dynamics shape athlete experiences. Case examples may include confidence challenges, stress related to performance, and maintaining motivation during adversity.

Weeks 5–6: Applied Observation and Resource Development

Students analyze examples of coaching environments and identify practices that support positive team culture. Participants may assist in developing educational resources for coaches focused on mental health awareness and healthy motivation.

Weeks 7–8: Capstone Project

Participants complete a capstone project applying internship learning. Example projects include:

A High School Coach Mental Health Awareness Guide

A Positive Team Culture Toolkit

A Youth Athlete Confidence and Resilience Framework

A Healthy Motivation in Youth Sports Resource

KEY DELIVERABLES

Athlete Wellbeing Reflection

A short reflection on the role of coaching and team culture in student-athlete wellbeing.

Coaching Environment Analysis

An analysis of coaching practices and their potential impact on athlete confidence and motivation.

Capstone Project

A practical resource designed to support high school athletic programs.

Professional Learning Summary

A final reflection outlining key insights gained through the internship.

PROGRAM VALUE FOR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

This internship helps athletic programs support priorities such as:

Student-athlete mental health awareness

Positive coaching development

Healthy team culture

Athlete retention and engagement

Leadership development for young athletes

The program encourages athletic environments where students can develop confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and lifelong healthy relationships with sports.

CAREER PATHWAYS

Participants interested in this internship may pursue careers in:

Coaching and athletic leadership

Sports psychology

Youth development and education

Athletic administration

Counseling or mental health professions

Sports medicine and athlete support services

PROGRAM DETAILS

Length: 8 weeks

Format: Remote or hybrid

Setting: High school athletic programs or partner organizations

Type: Academic or experiential internship

Contact: