The LGBTQI+ Youth Subnetwork of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is shutting down as of July 17, following a federal decision announced last month to end this specialized service, the Washington State Department of Health said. Since launching in 2022, the subnetwork has provided tailored support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and two-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) youth ages 13 to 24.

According to a health department news release, LGBTQIA2S+ youth have a higher risk of suicide and other mental health concerns due to historic and ongoing structural violence and discrimination. The specialized line has provided a safe, affirming space where trained counselors — many of whom were from the LGBTQIA2S+ community themselves– help with mental health crises, substance use concerns, and access to resources for longer-term support.

In Washington state, the LGBTQI+ Youth Subnetwork line receives an average of 830 calls, 270 texts, and 224 chats each month. Its closure is expected to increase demand on the main 988 Lifeline and could reduce visibility for LGBTQIA2S+ needs, which will affect access to care during a crisis. the health department said.

“We’re deeply concerned about the loss of this vital service,” said Michele Roberts, the department’s assistant secretary for prevention and community health. “The LGBTQI+ Youth Subnetwork has been a critical resource for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults with affirming care tailored to meet their unique needs. While this closure is a setback, our commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Washingtonians remains strong. Our state is ready to serve anyone who contacts 988, including LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults.”

Support remains available

The 988 Lifeline, now entering its third year of free, confidential, 24/7/365 support, will remain available through Washington’s three contracted crisis centers. In response to the subnetwork’s sudden closure, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is working to ensure the state’s 988 crisis counselors are trained to support LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults.

“Our crisis counselors will continue to provide compassionate, accessible care and support to anyone,” said Levi Van Dyke, chief behavioral health officer at Volunteers of America Western Washington, one of the three Washington 988 Lifeline crisis centers and one of the crisis centers that answered the LGBTQI+ Youth Subnetwork line. “They are always ready to listen and help you and your loved ones.”

People who contact the 988 Lifeline can still get free, confidential and specialized services available 24/7/365 from three other subnetworks:

• Veterans Crisis Line – for veterans and military families
• Spanish Subnetwork – for Spanish-speaking individuals
• Native & Strong Lifeline – available in Washington for Native and Indigenous people

You can also use these resources to get help with mental health and substance use concerns, thoughts of suicide, and other kinds of emotional distress:

CHICOPEE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – The COVID-19 pandemic kept a lot of people, especially kids, indoors for a while and forced them to not be fully engaged in physical sports and other hobbies, but one summer camp in Chicopee has spent the last few years working to change that.

With the weather being hot, humid, and beautiful, summer camp season is in full swing for kids of many ages, but what if we told you there was a camp where young people could be exposed to both athletics and high school level academics. That’s where Camp Elevate comes in. “There’s so much hands-on and such a variety of things,” said camp director Adam Tanguay. “…We’re introducing all of the Chicopee students to both high schools, so it depends where they’re going in the future. We’re hoping that they’ll be comfortable in that environment as well.”

Beginning in 2021, the mostly city-funded camp allows Chicopee middle schoolers to enjoy sports and other activities, which they were not able to do during the pandemic. At first, it was a half-day camp where those kids could put their devices down and be introduced to athletics and coaches. However, the demand for an all-day camp went up and it has introduced these students to so much more. “It’s not just sitting in the classroom and doing things. They’re doing actually science experiments, building model rockets and launching them,” Tanguay added.

This is now the second year of the full-day camp offered by Chicopee Public Schools. The registration fee is just $30. For the last two weeks, Camp Elevate has been at Chicopee High and, on Thursday, our crew saw dozens of kids do nothing but enjoy themselves. Campers we spoke with, like 12-year-old Kalil Taal, shared what they love the most about it. “My favorite activity is probably basketball because I just love basketball,” he said. “You do a bunch of fun activities and then a mix with academics, too.”

Tanguay told Western Mass News the campers have a lot to look forward to as the summer rolls on. “We’ve had the mayor come in and speak to some of our students, which was a great opportunity to ask some questions about civics. Chicopee resh is coming in next week to do a demonstration for our sixth and seventh graders and we’re going to take them roller skating,” he explained.

Camp Elevate continues at Chicopee Comprehensive High School for the next two weeks. They are at capacity and transportation, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are all provided.

Copyright 2025. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.

Researchers say that young athletes who specialize in just one sport experience more injuries and injury-related surgeries.

Switching sports for one season a year, or roughly three months, can keep young athletes safer and provide a better outlook for their long-term health.

This information is important for parents, coaches, young athletes, and their health practitioners as they make decisions about upcoming sports seasons.

Some professional football players practice ballet. An NCAA champion runner also swims. An Olympic gold medal speed skater does six-hour biking sessions.

According to the researchers, these athletes are ahead of the game because cross-training can help prevent injury in youth athletes.

Nathan Fitton, associate professor of orthopedics in the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, chief medical information officer for MSU Health Care, and MSU Athletics team physician; Jared Lutsic, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni and orthopedic surgery resident at Henry Ford Warren; and others studied the effects of sport specialization on collegiate athletes.

Their findings in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine reveal a direct association between the intensity of sport specialization and incidence of injuries while as a college athlete.

“We expected to learn that highly specialized athletes would have higher injury rates,” Fitton says.

“What’s alarming is a statistically significant increase in surgical procedures after an injury. We found that the more specialized an athlete was, the more likely they were to need surgery to correct an injury. This was true for male and female athletes.”

“There are lifelong implications for youth sports injuries,” he adds. “Injured athletes don’t always return to their pre-injury state. In the short term, this may mean they don’t get back to the sport at a level where they want to be. Longer term, we see arthritis from trauma to joints at an earlier age than would be expected. And we see 30- and 35-year-olds who need additional surgeries or lifestyle modifications to recover from an injury they experienced as a youth athlete.”

In the survey, NCAA Division I, II, and III athletes were asked about their sports participation, specialization, injuries, recovery periods, and treatment methods. Findings showed that highly specialized athletes were more likely to report injuries and, of those who says they had been injured, more than half reported a re-injury.

“We asked college athletes about their specialization status and learned that those who had a history of being highly specialized in high school got injured more frequently in college and had more severe injuries,” Lutsic says.

“Parents, physicians, and coaches should consider this when advising student athletes.”

“Athletes can still be very committed to a single sport and reduce their risk of injury by playing just one other sport for three months,” Fitton explains.

“Cross-training is like rotating the tires on your car. You’ll get longer use and better performance when tires are regularly rotated. For our bodies, diversification of movement reduces the risk of injury and helps maintain healthy functioning.”

Fitton says that other activities, like dance class or participating in a school play, can offer the break young athletes need. Even taking a day or two a week to do something that uses different muscle groups would be beneficial, he adds.

Source: Michigan State University

Bryan Braman, a key special teams player for the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship team, has died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 38.

Braman was from Spokane and graduated from Shadle Park High School, where he excelled in track and football. He played one year at the University of Idaho and seven years in the NFL.

Braman was diagnosed earlier this year and had multiple surgeries in recent months in an attempt to treat the illness. He died Thursday morning, according to a statement issued by the team.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bryan Braman,” the team said. “During his four seasons in Philadelphia, Bryan was a loyal teammate, a supporter of the community, and a valuable member of our Super Bowl LII-winning team. More importantly, he was a devoted father who passionately loved his family and everyone around him. We extend our deepest condolences to Bryan’s family and all who are grieving his loss during this difficult time.”

Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Texans in 2011, Braman played seven seasons in the NFL. He spent his first three in Houston and last four in Philadelphia. The Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33 to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl in Braman’s final game on Feb. 4, 2018. He gave a fiery speech in the locker room before that game.

Braman had 56 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 97 career games.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

This post was originally published on Defender Network

By ReShonda Tate

In the fast-paced world of youth sports, mothers often serve as the unsung backbone, managing everything from practices to scholarships and now a growing financial frontier. Enter Black Sports Moms, an organization dedicated to empowering mothers to navigate the complexities of their children’s athletic careers. 

Co-founders Lachauna Edwards and Andrea Odom are leading the charge to ensure that Black mothers are not just spectators but key players in shaping the future of their student-athletes.

The concept for Black Sports Moms emerged after an organic collaboration between Edwards and Odom, fueled by a shared passion for helping mothers. A well-known public relations professional, Edwards initially launched a platform during Black History Month to highlight the work of “mom-agers,” moms who balance parenting with managing their children’s careers. This initiative sparked Odom to connect with Edwards, an attorney with a civil rights background. Edwards, whose legal experience in contracts and name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, found that the sports world needed more resources to help mothers protect their children’s interests. What started as a simple idea quickly turned into a movement.

“It was nothing but a Godsend,” Odom explained. “We complement each other so well, and the response has been overwhelming. There’s a clear gap in the industry when it comes to supporting Black mothers in sports. These women have been looking for this kind of guidance and support.”

Filling the Gap

While many athletes credit their mothers for their success, the industry has never fully embraced or formalized their roles. For years, Black mothers have juggled their children’s sporting endeavors without the formal training or tools needed to navigate NIL deals, contracts and career decisions. That’s where Black Sports Moms fills that gap with resources, education and community.

The organization provides a comprehensive suite of services for mothers at various stages of their children’s athletic journeys. Whether their child is just beginning, entering the recruiting process, or negotiating their first professional contract, there is something for every mother. The platform offers educational courses on negotiating NIL contracts, managing a brand and building confidence in advocating for their child’s best interests.

A Comprehensive Approach

The most exciting part? Black Sports Moms aims to keep wealth and knowledge in the family. Odom explained, “We show moms who want to represent their children how to become certified agents. That means they don’t have to pay someone else to handle negotiations. Instead, they can keep that money and responsibility in-house.”

But the impact of Black Sports Moms goes beyond financial empowerment. It’s also about shifting the narrative, especially for women historically excluded from important decision-making tables. By providing personal and professional growth tools, Black Sports Moms helps mothers become informed, confident advocates for their children’s futures. And with the introduction of their upcoming conference on July 19, which has already sold out multiple times, the movement continues to gain momentum.

“Every mother who comes to us is looking for information to help their children succeed. Some of them want to manage their kids’ careers, while others just want to understand the ins and outs of NIL,” Edwards said. “What we’re building here is about creating a community where we empower and uplift each other.”

The first Black Sports Moms conference, scheduled for July 19 at the Post Oak Hotel, will welcome mothers from across the country—California, Florida, Texas and beyond—to a weekend of learning, networking, and empowerment. The conference will feature experts in athlete management, financial planning, and mental health, along with keynote speaker Kim Stroud, mother of the Texans’ star quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The conference’s popularity already has the founders planning for future cities such as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Chicago. The duo was recently featured at EssenceFest after word spread about the organization.

What began as a passion project has now blossomed into a national movement, drawing interest from major sponsors, sports figures, and even national publications.

“We didn’t imagine this would grow so quickly,” said Edwards. “We thought we were creating a small space for moms to support each other. But it’s turned into something much bigger, and it’s exciting to see what’s next.”For more information, visit https://blacksportsmoms.com/