Episode description

Zachary Davis, DO, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Cook Children's, has a particular interest in mental health in youth athletes. He joins Raising Joy to discuss the pressures young athletes face—from the high expectations set by parents and society to the intense demands of single-sport specialization. Dr. Davis highlights how these factors impact mental health, contributing to burnout, anxiety and injury risks.

Dr. Davis also talks about the signs of mental strain in athletes, noting that non-verbal cues—like changes in eating, sleep or enthusiasm—can indicate distress. Dr. Davis emphasizes the importance of a supportive and open environment where parents and coaches listen to athletes and value their well-being over performance metrics. He advocates for multi-sport participation, which improves skills and resilience and reduces injury risks.

Drawing from prominent athletes like Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, and Caitlin Clark, Dr. Davis encourages youth to prioritize mental health and self-care. In this episode, we reflect on how sports can serve as a powerful, life-learning experience for young people, teaching resilience, teamwork, and self-awareness.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit www.cookchildrens.org/joy or follow us on Instagram @RaisingJoyPodcast and TikTok @Raising.Joy.