2 weeks ago
Colorado youth coach training could address athlete eating disorders
Colorado has passed a new law that makes coaches for middle school, junior high, and high school athletes learn about mental health.
The law is named after a young athlete who died by suicide at age 13 after multiple concussions and mental health struggles.
The training teaches coaches to recognize problems like anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention.
Many young athletes also quietly struggle with eating disorders, but this training does not cover them yet.
An expert who studies eating disorders hopes coaches will learn about them too.
Eating disorders are common, with about 1 in 5 athletes around the world having one.
They can hurt a young athlete's health, sports performance, and happiness.
Most people with eating disorders do not look sick, which makes it hard to spot the problem.
When coaches know what to look for, young athletes can get help sooner and recover faster.
Colorado now requires middle, junior high and high school coaches in public and private schools to attend mental health training under the 2026 Alyssa's Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act.
The law is named after a 13-year-old athlete who died by suicide following mental health struggles likely connected with multiple concussions.
The mandated training covers stress, anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, substance abuse and suicide prevention, but does not explicitly include eating disorder education.
An estimated 501,370 Coloradans, about 9% of the state's population, will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime, costing Colorado about US$1.1 billion annually.
A 2023 study found 77.7% of youth athletes were at risk of an eating disorder, while only 6% of people with eating disorders are medically underweight.
- Who
- Colorado middle, junior high and high school coaches in public and private schools; the analysis was written by Erin Harrop, an eating disorder clinician and researcher and Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Denver.
- What
- Colorado now mandates mental health training for youth coaches, and an expert argues the training should also include eating disorder education to help coaches identify at-risk athletes.
- Where
- Colorado, United States.
- When
- The training requirements result from 2026 legislation; the article also cites a 2026 global systematic review on eating disorders in athletes.
- Why
- To help coaches identify and support young athletes struggling with mental health issues that can include eating disorders, which affect an estimated 9% of Coloradans in their lifetime.
Key facts
- Law
- Alyssa's Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act (2026)
- Training audience
- Middle, junior high and high school coaches in public and private schools
- Covered mental health topics
- Stress, anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, substance abuse and suicide prevention
- Coloradans affected by eating disorders
- 501,370 (about 9% of the state) over their lifetime
- Annual cost in Colorado
- US$1.1 billion in healthcare costs, lost productivity and informal care
- Annual emergency room visits in Colorado
- 938
- Annual inpatient hospitalizations in Colorado
- 410
- Youth athletes at risk of an eating disorder (2023 study)
- 77.7%
Sources
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