One world, one game, one goal: 7 key takeaways from the Youth Mental Health Matters UN Youth event.

On 07/17/2026, EarlyBird256 Founder Reginah Sanyu attended the One World, One Game, One Goal event hosted by the United Nations Youth office. The theme of #YouthMentalHealthMatters brought leaders, athletes, researchers, educators as well as community organizers held space for conversations about how football has the power to strengthen communities, improve mental health, and create spaces where every youth feels seen, valued and safe. 

Belonging is the beginning of mental health.

One of the strongest messages throughout the day was that supporting youth mental health begins long before a crisis. It begins by creating spaces where young people know they belong. A football pitch can become much more than a place to play. It can become a place where children build friendships, discover confidence, practice leadership, and find trusted adults who believe in them. For many young people, especially those growing up in underserved communities, these safe spaces and mentors simply do not exist. When we invest in sports, arts, and creative programming, we are not just filling time: we are strengthening the environments where young people live, learn, and grow. Belonging reduces isolation.

Prevention Is More Powerful Than Reaction.

During a session, a  speaker spoke about how they have shifted their strategy from reacting during crises towards preparing youth before the crises happen. Which in so many is the essence of EarlyBird256 and our mantra of #doinglittlethingswithpassion. One of the organizational goals is to operate from strategy and not from trauma response. That balance comes when the organization is in better financial health to meet their short and long term goals.

Football is a Universal Language.

Whether it is called Soccer or football, another point that was emphasized during one of the conversations was the fact that we do not need to speak the same language to understand the rules of the game. The game creates connection before conversation.Children from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences can immediately work together toward a common goal.

Football teaches teamwork. It teaches communication. It teaches discipline. It teaches how to win with humility and lose with resilience. These are life skills that extend far beyond the pitch.

EarlyBird256 Founder Reginah Sanyu attending the United Nations Mental Health Matters event discussing youth mental health through sports.

Young people already have the solutions.

Perhaps the most inspiring message from the event was this: Young people are not simply participants; they are leaders. The speakers challenged organizations to instead design programs with young people and make them decision makers. Too often adults design programs for youth without inviting youth into the conversation.

Our responsibility is not to have every answer. Our responsibility is to create the space, provide the resources, and trust the youth we work with. “When youth feel heard, they become leaders in their own communities”.

Community is the intervention.

No organization can do this work alone. Mental health is strengthened when schools, teachers, coaches, parents, local organizations, and community leaders work together. During a conversation, it was mentioned that coaches should be trained not only in football skills but also in youth development, emotional well-being, safeguarding, and recognizing when a child needs additional support.

Programs should be intentionally designed not only to develop better athletes but to develop healthier communities. This community-led approach aligns closely with EarlyBird256's mantra of #doinglittlethingswithpassion with local partners like Busoga High School, Ask Without Shame as well as Wabwire Outreach.

Sports is about having access.

Another important discussion focused on removing barriers that prevent children from participating. The design of sports programs matters because children cannot fully participate if they are worried about their safety, hunger, or whether they belong.

Many youth and children are eager to play but lack basic necessities like: sports shoes, uniforms, safe playing fields, equipment, drinking water as well as nutritious food. 

Measuring more than wins.

Another conversation of the day also challenged organizations to think differently about how they measure impact. Success should not only be measured by goals scored or matches won.  Success and impact should be guided by data, community feedback, and indicators that reflect the wellbeing of the youth, not just athletic performance.

Being part of a team gives young people: structure, consistency,  belonging, responsibility and introduces them to mentors as well as friendships.

EarlyBird256’s call to action  from the Youth Mental Health Matters event. 

We are eager to continue advocating for creative safe spaces for children and youth to learn through play and have spaces where they can learn to express themselves and find the power of their voices. We look forward to building the foundation by advocating for coaches to receive training in mental health awareness as well as have systems that teach youth to be more strategic and less reactive, as well as investing in sports equipment. As one speaker reminded us, sports belong to all of us. They belong to every child searching for identity, belonging, confidence, and hope.