The Center Foundation Blog: Uniting for Youth Sports Safety and Concussion Awareness
CLOSER LOOK: RADIO INTERVIEW WITH THE CENTER FOUNDATION
INTRODUCTION
This past fall, our very own Stuart Schmidt, Program Manager and Head Athletic Trainer for The Center Foundation was interviewed by Jeanice Lee from K-LOVE and Air1 Radio for Closer Look. Closer Look is a weekly program that interviews local community groups making a difference in Central Oregon. Please listen in to enjoy a captivating conversation about the history of The Center Foundation, our keystone programs including the flagship sports medicine outreach program which provides athletic trainers to eight local high schools throughout Central Oregon.
YOUTH INJURIES AND MENTAL HEALTH
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
Jon Skau, Crook County High School Athletic Trainer talks about his perspective for keeping mental health in mind while treating injuries and interacting with youth on a daily basis.
In life there are a few things that absolutely nobody can avoid, like death and taxes. In the world of sports, its injuries. If you play any sport long enough an injury is likely to occur at some point along the way. If you are around competitive sports enough, you may notice that there seems to be that one person who always seems to be getting “hurt”. Magically, that same person always seems to be fine the next game or practice. Sure some people are more prone to injury for different reasons, but something always seemed off with that one player.
Something would happen in a game or practice and that one kid would be sitting on the bench, again. Rumors often spiral around the team about that kid with people talking and asking questions. They are just trying to get out of conditioning drills. Are they really that lazy? Are they really always getting hurt? Or could it be that something else is going on? The true answer to that question is complicated. To do so it involves digging a bit deeper to find out what is really going on.
NEW NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE
CALL 9-8-8!
Are you or someone you know experiencing a mental health crisis? As of July 16, 2022, you can call 988 for 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors for help while experiencing mental health-related distress. Examples of mental health related distress can include:
- Thoughts of suicide
- Mental health or substance use crisis
- Any other kind of emotional distress
You can call or text 988 for yourself or a loved one in need of crisis support. Congress designated 988 in 2020 as a replacement for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In Oregon, 988 is operated by Lines For Life, a regional non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide.
TRAIN YOUR BRAIN 2022
11 YEARS OF HELMET SAFETY EDUCATION IN CENTRAL OREGON
The Center Foundation is proud to announce the eleventh year of its annual Train Your Brain program. This injury prevention program educates more than 2,000 elementary school students in Central Oregon about brain injury prevention and the importance of helmet safety. Train Your Brain is made possible by the support of The Center Foundation’s community partners at First Interstate Bank, Summit Health and BendBroadband.
WHAT IS AN ANKLE SPRAIN?
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR ATHLETIC TRAINER
You’ve heard it before. “I rolled my ankle.” But what does that mean? A ‘rolled ankle’ otherwise known as an ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries experienced while playing sports. When your child’s school ‘rolls’ or sprains their ankle, here is what to expect from the athletic trainer at your school taking care of your child’s injury.
MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION: STRATEGIES TO REDUCE STRESS AND INJURY IN ATHLETES
Most, if not all athletes experience some sort of stress or anxiety before games that may decrease their ability to perform at their best. Learning how to channel this stress and/or anxiety can help with focus, sports performance, and injury reduction. In addition, most athletes also have stressors in their personal lives such as school and work. Stress can be described as an unpleasant emotional state or condition characterized by feelings of tension, apprehension, and worry (2). Mindfulness and meditation is a strategy that can be used to deal with this stress and anxiety.
BURN INJURIES – TURKEY FRYING GOES WRONG!
BURN INJURIES – KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN TURKEY FRYING GOES WRONG!
ROLE OF A HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC TRAINER
Sisters High School Athletic Trainer Alex Walker on what it means to be a high school athletic trainer.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE AN ATHLETIC TRAINER (AT) AT YOUR SCHOOL?
An Athletic Trainer (AT) is an allied healthcare professional who cares for athletes during every practice and game. Athletic Trainers treat and manage emergent, acute, and chronic injuries and medical conditions through examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Additionally, injury prevention is a key aspect of the work we do. Part of preventing injuries, is working to ensure the conditions that athletes play and practice in are safe. For instance, Athletic Trainers monitor the weather and field conditions in order to ensure that a safe playing environment exists.
Having an AT at your school means you have a highly educated medical professional who does more than tape ankles and give out ice bags. The athletic trainer knows the athletes inside and out and is there to take care of them if they are injured.
THE CENTER FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SANDY VISNACK AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
We are pleased to announce Sandy Visnack as the new Executive Director of The Center Foundation. Visnack brings over two decades of nonprofit management and fundraising experience, working in leadership roles as Executive Director, Development Director and Communications Director for nonprofit organizations serving youth and families in Oregon and Colorado. With her deep commitment to Central Oregon youth and demonstrated leadership, Visnack will help The Center Foundation move forward in its mission to keep kids healthy and safe in Central Oregon.
FALL SPORTS ARE BACK!
The 2021-22 school year is underway and fall sports are back! We are excited to kick off a new year and continue to provide athletic trainers to local high schools to keep kids safe. This fall, look for us in your high school athletic training room where we will be on a daily basis providing onsite injury prevention and treatment services for YOUR student-athlete.