My name is Della Norton and I am the Healthy Athletes Manager with Special Olympics Washington. Healthy Athletes is a Special Olympics program that provides free health examinations in a fun, welcoming environment that removes the anxiety and trepidation people with intellectual disabilities often experience when faced with a visit to a medical professional. I’ve attached a flyer with more information about our Strong Minds Healthy Athletes Screening.
Strong Minds is an interactive learning activity focused on developing adaptive coping skills. Competition provides a natural opportunity to develop active strategies for maintaining emotional wellness under stress, such as: thinking positive thoughts, releasing stress and connecting with others. Athletes learn about and try a few different active coping strategies as they move through the stations. Before exiting, athletes identify the strategies they like best and volunteers provide them with visual reminders to use these tools in competition and in daily life.
We have two remaining Strong Minds screenings this year:
Saturday, August 17th
(4:00pm-9:30pm)
Everett, WA- Everett Community College
Supporting 800+ athletes competing in our Summer State Games!
| [CLICK HERE TO REGISTER] |
Saturday, November 23rd
(4:00pm-9:30pm)
Tri-Cities, WA
Supporting 500+ athletes competing in our Fall State Games!
| [CLICK HERE TO REGISTER] |
We are looking for Clinical Volunteers such as Social Workers, Psychiatrists & Psychologists to evaluate athletes’ coping skills and lead interactive activities and conversations about stress, coping, and emotional wellness. We are also looking for Wellness Volunteers who are professionals or students with wellness experience such as yoga and dance instructors who will assist with our Strong Breathing, Strong Messages, Strong Stretching and Strong Supporting stations. Supporting 800+ athletes competing in our Summer State Games!
The Summer Games Strong Minds screening will be supervised by our Clinical Director, Megan Gary, who will provide a training to all clinical volunteers to ensure confidence and accuracy throughout the screening process.
Volunteers will receive more specific instruction & directions upon official registration at the link above. I am happy to answer any questions via email!
