On July 4, 2025, at the “Träumen lohnt sich” camp—organized by the Träumen-lohnt-sich Foundation by Robin Gosens and the DFB Sepp Herberger Foundation—Marion Sulprizio gave an engaging presentation to 26 young soccer players on the topic of “Mental Health in Competitive Sports,” explaining what mental illnesses are, how they develop, and that competitive athletes are also affected by them. The young athletes were also shown who they can turn to with problems and where they can get help and support. The MentalGestärkt network now includes over 300 sports psychology experts as well as 20 child and adolescent psychotherapists and psychiatrists who are available to help young athletes.

The asp Annual Conference took place at Ruhr University in Bochum from May 29 to May 31, 2025. MentalGestärkt organized a workshop on the topic “Mental Health in Competitive Sports—Best Practice Initiatives and Projects in Germany.” During the workshop, projects were presented that focus on promoting mental health in competitive sports and that have been funded by the Robert Enke Foundation or awarded the “Mental Health in Youth Competitive Sports” grant. Lena Steindorf presented a longitudinal study as well as an intervention concept at TSG Hoffenheim titled “Mental Health in Professional Soccer: Scientific Findings and Applied Perspectives.” Simon Borgmann and Timo Heinze from the youth academy of the Bayer 04 Leverkusen soccer club reported on the successful implementation of the “Readiness” concept, a sports psychology support program for injured players until their return to the field. Martin Leo Reinhard presented the “Young & Wild & Healthy” program for maintaining and promoting the mental health of young elite soccer players, which was implemented at the VFB Stuttgart Youth Academy. Marion Sulprizio (German Sport University Cologne) presented the interdisciplinary networking efforts of MentalGestärkt. Athletes, coaches, and others involved in competitive sports can receive counseling and support from MentalGestärkt.

On August 1, 2026, the Association for Practical Sports Psychology, in collaboration with the Professional Association of German Psychologists, invites you to an online event on the topic of “The Practice of Sports Psychology.” You can look forward to an engaging morning featuring presentations by Marion Sulprizio, Oliver Fink, Frank Wormuth, and Henning Fritz on topics such as mental strength and mental health. When: Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., online via Zoom Agenda 9:30 a.m. Welcome 9:35–10:10 a.m. Oliver Fink (soccer player, Fortuna legend): “Mental Strength as the Key to Success” 10:10–10:45 a.m. Marion Sulprizio, M.A. in Psychology (Executive Director of MentalGestärkt at the German Sport University Cologne): “Aspects of Mental Health in Competitive Sports” 10:45–10:55 Break 10:55–11:30 a.m. Frank Wormuth (soccer player and soccer coach): “The Importance of Sports Psychology Tools in Soccer” 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Henning Fritz (handball world champion and World Handball Player of the Year): “Ways Out of a Mental Crisis” 12:15–12:30 p.m.: Closing Q&A Fee €25.00 (Early bird rate until June 15, 2026: €20.00) €20.00 for members of the Association for Practical Sports Psychology (VpSp), the Sports Psychology Working Group (asp), and the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP) Bank account information: Association for Practical Sports Psychology e. V. Deutsche Skatbank · IBAN: DE45 8306 5408 0005 3528 60 · BIC: GENO DEF1 SLR Reference: “Name/0826” Registration We look forward to receiving your registration by July 27, 2026, at: Association for Practical Sports Psychology e. V. - Lindenstraße 212, 40235 Düsseldorf - Organizer: Dipl.-Psych. Jürgen Walter Mobile: +49 157353 931 32 Email: kontakt@verband-sportpsychologie.de

The Working Group for Sports Psychology (asp) and MentalGestärkt are planning their next joint theme day for 2027—this time on the topic of “Loneliness & Homesickness in Competitive Sports.” The event will once again be held at the German Sport University in Cologne. As with the last two theme days, participants will be offered a varied program consisting of lectures, workshops, and discussion panels led by qualified experts. Dr. Fabian Pels will provide a scientific perspective on the topic, while PD Dr. Janosch Schobin will offer a societal perspective. Athletes (TBA) will share insights from various sports in an interview session. In addition, insights and reflections from the fields of boarding school and NLZ administration, sports psychology, and child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy—including contributions from Theresa Rohner of the NLZ in Dortmund and our steering committee member Dr. Katja Wucherer of the DGKJP—will enrich the program. The day will conclude with a moderated panel discussion featuring all speakers. Date : Friday, February 19, 2027, 10:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Location : German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne Registration : by email to office@asp-sportpsychologie.org Participation fees : asp/dvs/bdp/SASP/ÖBS members: 119 €; students: 99 €; others: 139 € Target audience : Anyone interested in sports psychology, sports psychotherapy, sports psychiatry, and sports science, as well as coaches, boarding school staff, and master’s students