When Dr. Sahira Al Nahari founded Shifā Art, a Saudi Arabia-based organization using art to create conversations around mental health, she noticed that men attending her therapeutic art workshops often felt uncomfortable opening up about their feelings.
At these workshops, however, men often begin by sketching football jerseys or their favorite teams, the medic said. Soon, those drawings become conversations about everyday anxieties – showing how sport can open doors that traditional mental health discussions often cannot.
“On the field, absolutely no one wins alone,” Dr. Al Nahari said. “Players depend on a whole ecosystem – defenders, midfielders, coaches, medics and fans in the stands – all having important roles. When we approach youth mental health, we require the exact same ecosystem.”
Speaking alongside UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs Felipe Paullier at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, Dr. Al Nahari highlighted how sport can improve youth mental health outcomes – and reduce stigma.
On Friday, just two days ahead of the Men’s World Cup final across the river from Midtown Manhattan in New Jersey, the UN Youth Office will host young leaders, policymakers, civil society, athletes and more to celebrate football as a catalyst for youth mental health.
The event is part of the Youth Office’s flagship initiative on Youth Mental Health and Well-Being, which aims to shift the conversation beyond clinical responses.
