Toledo Rotary Hears Concerns About Young Athletes' Mental Health

Sports psychotherapist Jonelle Massey discusses pressures facing youth athletes and calls for a more supportive athletic culture in the Toledo area.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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In a talk to the Toledo Rotary Club, sports psychotherapist Jonelle Massey discussed the mental health challenges facing young athletes, including parental overprotection, the 'D-I-or-bust' college sports culture, and the pressures of social media. Massey said the Toledo area has an opportunity to create a more supportive athletic environment that prioritizes psychological safety over prestige, which could attract young athletes who currently travel to Cleveland for more nurturing programs.

Why it matters

Youth sports have become increasingly adult-centered and high-pressure, leading to mental health issues for many young athletes. Addressing this problem at the community level by fostering a more supportive athletic culture could benefit the physical and psychological well-being of local youth.

The details

Massey, a sports psychotherapist, said parental overprotection is the top cause of anxiety for youth athletes aged 5-18. She used the example of a weight room, saying parents and coaches need to 'step back' and let young athletes do the work, rather than hovering and over-celebrating. Massey also criticized the 'D-I-or-bust' college sports philosophy that prioritizes prestige over participation, noting that smaller Division II schools like Tiffin University and the University of Findlay actually have more student-athletes than larger Division I programs like the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University.

  • Massey spoke at the Toledo Rotary Club meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026.
  • Agility Counseling Group, founded by Massey, is hosting its second mental health summit for high school athletes later this month.

The players

Jonelle Massey

A sports psychotherapist and the founder of Agility Counseling Group, which aims to create a more supportive athletic culture in the Toledo area.

John Wasserman

An attorney in Perrysburg and a member of the Toledo Rotary Club, who has heard about the pressures facing his grandchildren in youth sports.

Tiffin University

A Division II school that has nearly 400 more student-athletes than the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University, which are both Division I programs.

University of Findlay

Another Division II school that has nearly 400 more student-athletes than the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University.

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What they’re saying

“The problem is parents aren't stepping away, and they're standing next to them and they're celebrating for a long time. Your celebration is creating a ceiling for your student. Step away, high-five, and move on so they can put on more weight and build more muscle.”

— Jonelle Massey, Sports psychotherapist (Toledo Blade)

“When [Mrs. Massey] was talking about the social pressures and earning money, it's really just a totally different world. It's just a lot of pressure, and a lot depends on the parents, I think, but you can't rule out TikTok and social media.”

— John Wasserman, Attorney and Rotary member (Toledo Blade)

What’s next

Agility Counseling Group, founded by Massey, is hosting its second mental health summit for high school athletes later this month, following an event last year with 200 students from 17 high schools.

The takeaway

This discussion highlights the need for a more supportive and nurturing athletic culture in the Toledo area that prioritizes the mental health and well-being of young athletes over the pressure to achieve elite status. By creating an environment that fosters psychological safety, the community can help young athletes thrive both on and off the field.