Program scores big improving youth mental health through basketball

"

The sound of dozen of basketballs filled the Remington Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle last Thursday, Aug. 15. It wasn't a team try-out or recess during the school day. Dozens of young people were taking part in a weeklong event put on by Kashif Hameed, founder of Klinic Kids. The program combines basketball with mental health resources, physical wellness and social-emotional learning. "We're using the sport as a tool in order to engage them and really show them how to get these skills to really work on coping mechanisms and things that can help them through life," Hameed said. Hameed founded the program more than two years ago and brings it to schools and community centers statewide. Each day involves check-ins with coaches, all former professional and collegiate athletes, visits from a mental health counselor and mentorship opportunities. Kids, of course, also get the chance to work on their basketball skills but for Hameed it's just as important how the kids perform on the court as they do off of it. "Who knows maybe they'll play basketball like we did but if they don't at least they have a foundation of skills that can help them off the court as well," he said. Last week, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado stopped by and shared how basketball impacted his life. He shared a message that he hoped would inspire the next generation of leaders. "No matter what's going on in your world you can always on the fact that love lives inside of you," Delgado said. "