Summer is here and with it comes a shift in energy, routine, and rhythm for so many of the people we have the privilege of working with. Whether you are a parent navigating your child’s summer break, an adult managing the added stress that comes with schedule changes, or an athlete stepping into a new season of training, June brings its own unique set of opportunities and challenges.
At Elite Psychology & Wellness, we are proud to serve a diverse community of clients – from those working through everyday mental health challenges to athletes seeking peak performance support. Whoever you are and whatever brings you through our doors, we are glad you are here.
This month’s newsletter touches on summer wellness tips for kids and families, mental skills tools that benefit everyone, and a spotlight on Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. We hope you find something useful in these pages.
Summer Break: Supporting Kids’ Mental Health
For children and teens, the end of the school year can bring both excitement and unexpected emotional challenges. The shift away from daily structure, the change in social connections, and the openness of summer can be a lot to navigate, especially for kids who thrive on routine or who struggle with anxiety.
Here are some practical ways to support your child’s mental and emotional wellbeing this summer:
• Keep a loose routine. Even without school, children benefit from predictable rhythms around wake-up, meals, activities, and bedtime.
• Prioritize sleep. Children and teens need 8–10 hours of sleep per night. Protect sleep schedules even when the days feel lazy.
• Balance screen time with real-world connection. Encourage outdoor time, creative play, reading, and in-person socializing alongside screens.
• Stay nourished and hydrated. Active summer days increase the body’s needs. Simple, consistent meals and plenty of water make a real difference in mood and regulation.
• Create space for feelings. Check in regularly, not just ‘How was your day?’ but ‘What are you looking forward to? What feels hard right now?’
• Watch for changes. If you notice shifts in mood, sleep, appetite, or behavior lasting more than two weeks, consider reaching out to your child’s therapist or our front office for guidance.
For Athletes & Sports Families:
If your child is a competitive athlete, summer often means intensified training, travel tournaments, and elite camps. Rest days are essential, not optional. Watch for signs of burnout or performance anxiety (irritability, sleep disruption, reluctance to attend practice) and communicate openly with coaches if your child needs extra support. Summer is also an ideal time to work on mental skills training in a lower-stakes environment.
Mental Skills: Tools for Everyone
Mental skills are often discussed in the context of sports performance but the truth is, these tools are powerful for anyone navigating stress, anxiety, transitions, or the demands of everyday life. Whether you are preparing for a competition, a difficult conversation at work, a medical procedure, or simply trying to feel more grounded during a hectic summer, these skills are for you.
Goal Setting
Intentional goal setting helps direct focus and build a sense of purpose and momentum. Try identifying one meaningful goal for this summer, something specific, realistic, and within your control. Write it down, revisit it weekly, and notice the difference that clarity makes.
Visualization
Visualization is the practice of mentally rehearsing a positive outcome before it happens. Athletes use it before competition, but it is just as effective for anyone anticipating a challenging situation. Spend a few minutes each day picturing yourself handling a stressor with calm, confidence, and skill. The brain responds to vivid mental imagery much like it responds to real experience.
Breath Control & Self-Regulation
Slow, deliberate breathing is one of the most accessible and evidence-based tools for managing anxiety and stress. When you feel overwhelmed, your nervous system is activated, and breath is one of the few ways you can consciously shift it. Try box breathing: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. Even two minutes of this practice can create a measurable shift in how you feel.
Self-Talk
The way we speak to ourselves shapes how we feel and perform. Negative, critical self-talk increases anxiety and erodes confidence over time. Notice what you say to yourself in moments of difficulty, and practice replacing harsh inner dialogue with something more honest and compassionate. This is not about toxic positivity; it is about becoming a fair witness to yourself.
For Athletes & Sports Families:
For our athletes, these skills directly translate to competitive performance. Consider working with your therapist this summer on sport-specific mental performance goals. Our providers can help you build a pre-competition routine, address performance anxiety, and develop the mental edge that separates good athletes from great ones.
Mens Mental Health Awareness Month
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month: a dedicated time to shine a light on the unique mental health challenges facing men and boys, and to encourage the kind of open, honest conversations that can save lives.
The statistics are striking: men are significantly less likely than women to seek mental health support, yet are at higher risk for suicide, untreated depression, and substance use. This gap is not because men struggle less, it is because many have been taught that struggling silently is strength.
Strength Includes Seeking Support.
Mental health care is not a sign of weakness. It is an act of courage and self-awareness. Whether you are a man seeking support for yourself, or someone who loves a man who is hurting, we want you to know: there is no shame in asking for help, and help is here.
This is true across all walks of life and it is especially true in high-performance environments where stoicism is often rewarded and vulnerability is misunderstood. At Elite Psychology & Wellness, we see men from all backgrounds: business professionals, fathers, coaches, veterans, and athletes. Each one brings a different story, and each one deserves support.
Ways to support the men and boys in your life this June:
• Ask genuinely & listen without rushing to fix. ‘How are you really doing?’ can open a door that nothing else will.
• Normalize struggle. Share your own experiences where appropriate. Vulnerability from someone trusted makes it safer for others.
• Reframe therapy. For many men, framing mental health care as a performance and productivity tool (not just an emotional outlet) increases openness and follow-through.
• Don’t wait for a crisis. Proactive care is always more effective than reactive treatment. If someone you care about is struggling, encourage them gently and consistently.
Our practice includes providers who specialize in working with men and understand the cultural dynamics that make help-seeking feel difficult. We are accepting new clients and are here whenever you or someone you love is ready.
This Month on the Blog
“Game On, Mind Ready: A Summer Mental Skills Guide for Young Athletes”
This month’s featured blog post is written with athletes and sports families in mind, but many of the mental skills tools covered apply broadly to anyone looking to build resilience, focus, and confidence this summer. Our clinical team covers:
• A 15-minute daily mental skills routine any athlete can build into their summer
• The three most common mental barriers young athletes face — and how to overcome them
• A guide to opening mental health conversations with male athletes
• Signs your child may need additional support and how to connect them with care
