Building Strong Minds: A Look Inside YEDA’s Mental Health & Leadership Workshop

Last month, YEDA hosted a powerful Mental Health & Leadership Workshop for the youth in our programs—an experience that reminded all of us that leadership starts within.

Led by mental health and wellness advocate Kris Lacy, this workshop gave our kids more than just tools—they walked away with insight, confidence, and a clearer understanding of how their mindset influences the path they take in life. And for many, it was the first time they’d ever been invited to talk openly about mental health.

For YEDA, events like this aren’t optional. They’re required.

Because if we’re going to ask our youth to show up as athletes and students, we must first support them as growing people. That means putting just as much focus on their emotional wellbeing and leadership development as we do on jump shots and drills.

The Power of Perspective: What the Workshop Covered

The day was full of hands-on learning and real talk. One of the first exercises was a bubble map—each student drew out the different areas of their life where they hold influence. Family. Friends. Teammates. School. Social media.

That moment hit hard for many of them. It opened their eyes to the fact that leadership isn’t just about being in charge—it’s about how you carry yourself in the everyday spaces of your life.

Kris also led a session on mindset, helping our youth understand that how they see a challenge and how they respond to it can shape the outcome. They talked about the difference between reacting and responding. About owning your story. And about how true leaders lead by example—not just with words, but with actions.

What We Saw: Real Impact in Real Time

What stood out most wasn’t just the content—it was the transformation in the room. We watched students go from reserved to reflective. From distracted to dialed-in.

By the end of the day, several of our youth gave personal accounts of how the workshop shifted their thinking. Some shared that they’d never been in a space where mental health was talked about so openly. Others left with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. One said, “I didn’t know I had that much influence.”

For a single-day event, the long-term impact was undeniable.

Why It Matters: The Research Behind Mental Health & Leadership Training for Youth

According to the CDC, 42% of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless in 2021—a 50% increase over the past decade. For young Black males, especially, the stigma around talking about mental health can keep them isolated and unsupported.

Leadership training and mentorship programs like ours can change that.

Research from the National Mentoring Resource Center shows that youth who participate in structured mentoring and leadership programs are more likely to have higher self-esteem, improved behavior in school, and stronger relationships with peers and adults. They're also less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

It’s not just about preventing harm. It’s about creating pathways.

When young people see themselves as leaders, they make better choices. When they understand that leadership includes taking care of your mental and emotional health, they gain resilience. And when they are seen, heard, and supported, they rise.

The YEDA Difference: Mind, Body, Spirit

YEDA’s mission has always gone beyond sports. We use athletics as a bridge—to meet our youth where they are and walk with them toward something greater.

That includes mentorship. Mental health support. Fitness. Education. And workshops like this one that equip our students with the tools to lead in all areas of life. It’s why participation in events like this is required for our league athletes. If we want to raise up strong, well-rounded young men, we have to invest in their full potential.

We’re proud to say this won’t be the last workshop like this. If anything, it was proof that we need more.

Watch the Recap: What Leadership Looks Like in Action

Take a moment to watch the recap video above and see the transformation for yourself.

You'll hear firsthand from the youth who showed up, leaned in, and walked away changed.

Get Involved: Be Part of the Change

We’re just getting started—and there are so many ways for you to be part of the movement.

👉 Check out our upcoming programs and events to learn how to get your child involved through mentorship, education, fitness, or community initiatives.

👉 Ready to volunteer? Click here to express your interest in supporting our youth as a Big Brother or Big Sister, a basketball coach or trainer, or in another role that helps build future leaders in our community.

Workshops like this remind us that it doesn’t take a lifetime to make a difference—it just takes one intentional day, one caring adult, one open conversation. We’re honored to have created that space with Kris Lacy and look forward to what’s next.

Because at YEDA, we’re not just building athletes. We’re building leaders.