KARE 11 Spotlights Mental Health at USA Games through Special Olympics Strong Minds

June 30, 2026 - 01:54

KARE 11 recently took a closer look at the Special Olympics Strong Minds program during the USA Games, speaking with athletes and volunteers about how the initiative is working to close the gap in mental health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program, which operates alongside athletic competitions, offers a calm space where athletes can practice coping strategies, mindfulness, and emotional regulation before they compete.

Volunteers at the Strong Minds station guide participants through simple techniques like deep breathing and positive self-talk. The goal is to help athletes manage the stress of competition while building skills they can use in everyday life. For many, the screening also serves as a rare opportunity to talk openly about mental health, an area that often gets overlooked for people with disabilities.

One volunteer explained that the program is designed to be non-clinical and welcoming. Athletes are not diagnosed or treated on the spot, but they leave with practical tools and a sense of being heard. The focus is on resilience and emotional well-being, not just physical performance.

KARE 11's coverage underscored a broader point: mental health disparities persist for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and programs like Strong Minds are a direct response to that gap. By embedding mental health support into the Games, Special Olympics is sending a clear message that emotional fitness matters just as much as athletic achievement.