Mental Wellness for Youth in Tacoma, WA | Get Your Mind Right
At Game Time, we don't just coach athletes — we mentor human beings. Our Mental Wellness pillar is the foundation of our Whole-Child Strategy. We provide Pierce County's youth with the psychological tools to navigate trauma, manage stress, and build a positive self-identity. Through Get Your Mind Right, our featured mental wellness program, participants ages 8–18 develop real coping skills, a healthy sense of self, and the peer connections that remind them they are never alone in what they are facing.
Pillar 1: Mental Wellness — The Foundation of Our Whole-Child Strategy
Why Mental Wellness Comes First
At Game Time, we don't just coach athletes — we mentor human beings. Our Mental Wellness pillar is the foundation of our Whole-Child Strategy because everything else depends on it. A young person cannot absorb academics, excel athletically, or develop leadership if they are carrying unprocessed trauma, chronic stress, or a fractured sense of self. By addressing mental wellness first, we create the psychological safety and internal capacity that every other pillar depends on to produce results.
Providing Tools to Navigate Trauma and Stress
Pierce County's youth face real and compounding stressors — community violence, family instability, academic pressure, and the invisible weight of social comparison. Most have never been given practical tools to process these experiences constructively. Get Your Mind Right changes that by providing evidence-informed, youth-centered forums where participants learn to name what they feel, understand where it comes from, and develop coping strategies that work in real life — not just in theory.
Building a Positive Self-Identity Beyond Performance
Too many young people define their worth by their grades, their athletic performance, or their social status — fragile foundations that crumble under pressure. Game Time's Mental Wellness pillar helps youth build a positive self-identity that is grounded in who they are, not just what they achieve. When young people know their value is not contingent on performance, they show up with more confidence, more resilience, and more capacity to lead.
Get Your Mind Right: A Safe Haven, Not a Clinical Lecture
Youth-Led Peer Groups and Trauma-Informed Forums
This isn't a clinical lecture — it's a safe haven. Through youth-led peer groups and trauma-informed forums, Get Your Mind Right creates the kind of environment where young people actually open up, engage, and grow. Participants ages 8–18 gather in structured sessions facilitated by trained Game Time staff or key partners from Kids Mental Health Pierce County to talk honestly about what they are experiencing, learn from each other, and build the psychological tools that carry them through the challenges of growing up in Pierce County.
How We Build Mental Resilience and Confidence
Get Your Mind Right supports the emotional and psychological well-being of young students and student-athletes. The program integrates mental wellness directly with physical development — especially for student-athletes — using sport psychology techniques to help youth understand how their mental state affects performance, recovery, and consistency. Parent and coach resources reinforce program skills at home and in practice, creating a wraparound support network that makes the work sustainable.
Who the Program Is For and How It Works
Get Your Mind Right serves youth ages 8–18 across Tacoma and Pierce County through weekly group sessions at partner schools, churches, and community centers. Both student-athletes and non-athletes are welcome — the tools taught are universal. Counselors and parents can refer youth directly by calling 253.439.7233 or visiting our Contact page.
Core Skills We Teach in Our Mental Wellness Program
Every Get Your Mind Right session helps participants ages 8–18 develop three foundational capabilities they can use immediately — in school, at home, on the field, and in life.
Self-Regulation
Coping strategies for anxiety and community stress. Get Your Mind Right equips participants with evidence-informed tools — breathing techniques, grounding exercises, journaling prompts, and emotional regulation practices that work in real situations. Youth learn to identify what they are feeling, understand where it comes from, and respond constructively rather than reacting impulsively or shutting down when pressure hits hardest.
Healthy Identity
Building confidence outside of academic or athletic performance. Many young people define their worth by metrics that can disappear overnight — a bad grade, an injury, a social rejection. Get Your Mind Right helps participants build a stable, positive sense of self that is grounded in who they are as people, not just what they produce. This internal foundation is what sustains confidence through setbacks and fuels long-term growth.
Peer Support
Realizing they aren't alone in their struggles. One of the most powerful outcomes of Get Your Mind Right is the moment a young person looks around the room and realizes that others are carrying similar burdens. Youth-led peer groups create authentic community — where participants support each other, share strategies, and build the kind of lasting connections that serve as a protective factor long after the program ends.
Program Structure, Schedule, and Locations
Weekly Sessions, Group Activities, and One-on-One Support
Get Your Mind Right runs in weekly group sessions that build progressively. Each session includes an opening check-in, a skill-building block, a group activity that applies the skill, and a closing reflection. One-on-one support is available for youth who benefit from additional attention between sessions.
Where We Offer Mental Wellness Programming in Tacoma
Game Time delivers sessions at partner schools, churches, community centers, and recreation facilities across Tacoma and Pierce County. Meeting youth in familiar, trusted spaces removes transportation barriers and makes mental wellness support genuinely accessible. Call 253.439.7233 to find the nearest session.
How We Partner with Schools, Churches, and Community Centers
Game Time partners with Tacoma-area schools, faith communities, and organizations to extend Get Your Mind Right into the spaces youth already use. Counselors can refer students, and host organizations can integrate sessions into existing programming. Contact our partnerships team to explore bringing the program to your community.
When young people feel supported mentally and emotionally, they are better equipped to show up, stay engaged, and reach their full potential.— Game Time Non-Profit · Tacoma, WA
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Licensed, Bonded, and Insured Mental Wellness Support
Trained Staff and Age-Appropriate Curriculum
Every Get Your Mind Right session is facilitated by trained Game Time staff with expertise in youth development, trauma-informed practice, and SEL facilitation. Our age-appropriate, evidence-informed curriculum is regularly reviewed to stay current with best practices in youth mental health support.
Safe, Supportive Spaces for Youth to Be Heard
Psychological safety is the foundation of every session. Game Time builds it intentionally through clear group norms, trained facilitation, and a culture of mutual respect that participants help shape. Every young person deserves to feel heard and valued — and we take that responsibility seriously.
How We Collaborate with Families and Community Resources
Get Your Mind Right complements — not replaces — the adults already in a young person's life. We provide resources for parents and coaches to reinforce skills at home and in practice. For youth who need clinical support beyond our program, Game Time maintains community referrals to licensed therapists in the Tacoma area so no family is left without a next step.
Why Choose Game Time for Youth Mental Wellness
Local Non-Profit Focused on Tacoma Youth
Game Time is a Tacoma-born non-profit built by people who live and work here. Our team knows Tacoma's neighborhoods, schools, and families — and that local knowledge shapes every program we deliver. Choosing Game Time means choosing a team genuinely invested in your child's future, not just fulfilling a contract.
Evidence-Informed Practices and Community Partnerships
Get Your Mind Right is built on evidence-informed practices from SEL, sport psychology, and youth development research — structured, intentional, and regularly reviewed. Game Time partners with schools, mental health organizations, and community centers to extend reach, connect families to additional resources, and stay responsive to Tacoma's evolving needs.
Real Stories of Growth from Kids and Families
Parents report their children communicate better, handle stress more constructively, and approach challenges with more confidence. Students feel less anxious and more focused. Coaches see measurable improvements in how athletes perform under pressure. These are not small wins — they are changes that shape the trajectory of a young person's life.
Accessible to All Tacoma Families
Game Time's non-profit model keeps program quality and family income separate. We offer financial assistance for qualifying families and work with donors and community partners to ensure cost is never a barrier. Every Tacoma young person who needs mental wellness support deserves to receive it — contact us to learn about assistance options.
"The Get Your Mind Right program gave my daughter tools I didn't even know she needed. She's more confident, communicates better, and handles stress in ways that genuinely amaze me."— DeShawn R.
"My son came into this program struggling with anxiety before games. After a few sessions, I watched him take deep breaths, reset, and perform better than he ever had. Game Time changed how he sees himself."— Tamara W.
"I've volunteered with several Tacoma non-profits, but Game Time is different. The staff are passionate, the programming is thoughtful, and the kids clearly feel safe and valued here."— Keisha L.
Service Areas for Our Mental Wellness Program
Mental Wellness Support in Tacoma Neighborhoods
Game Time delivers Get Your Mind Right sessions across Tacoma neighborhoods including Hilltop, South End, East Tacoma, Central Tacoma, and North Tacoma. We partner with local schools and community spaces in each area to ensure youth can access sessions in familiar, trusted settings close to home. Our Tacoma-first approach means we show up where families already are — reducing barriers and making mental wellness support genuinely accessible.
Nearby Cities: Lakewood, University Place, Puyallup, Fircrest
Get Your Mind Right also serves youth in Lakewood, University Place, Puyallup, and Fircrest. These Pierce County communities are part of the broader region we call home, and Game Time is committed to ensuring youth across this area have the same access to mental wellness programming available in Tacoma.
Additional Areas: Spanaway, Parkland, Bonney Lake, Sumner
We extend our mental wellness programming to families in Spanaway, Parkland, Bonney Lake, and Sumner. If you are unsure whether we serve your community, contact our team at 253.439.7233 and we will help you find the nearest session or explore bringing the program to your area.
FAQ: Mental Wellness Program for Youth in Tacoma, WA
Answers to what Tacoma families ask most before enrolling their child in Get Your Mind Right.
What is the Get Your Mind Right mental wellness program?
Get Your Mind Right is a skills-based mental wellness program created by Game Time Non-Profit in Tacoma, WA. The program supports the emotional and psychological well-being of young students and student-athletes by building mental resilience alongside physical development. Through group sessions, mental training, and performance psychology, participants gain practical tools to manage stress, build confidence, and develop healthy coping strategies. Game Time believes mental health is just as important as physical health, and Get Your Mind Right reflects that commitment in every session.
What ages do you serve in your mental wellness program?
Get Your Mind Right serves youth ages 8–18 in Tacoma and the surrounding Pierce County region. Content and facilitation are adjusted for younger students (ages 8–12) and teens (ages 13–18) so sessions are relevant and engaging at every stage. Both student-athletes and non-athletes are welcome. If you are unsure whether the program is a fit for your child's age or needs, contact our team at 253.439.7233 and we will help guide you to the right level of support.
Is this therapy or counseling, or a skills-based program?
Get Your Mind Right is a skills-based youth development program — not therapy or clinical counseling. The program focuses on building practical mental wellness tools including coping strategies, emotional regulation, stress management, communication skills, and growth mindset. Sessions are facilitated in group settings and are designed to feel accessible and engaging, not clinical. For youth who may need clinical mental health support, Game Time maintains community referral relationships and can connect families with appropriate licensed professionals in the Tacoma area.
How does mental wellness integrate with sports and physical development?
Game Time was founded on the belief that mental and physical health are deeply connected. Get Your Mind Right integrates mental performance and psychology concepts alongside physical development, helping student-athletes understand how mental resilience, focus, and confidence directly impact their performance on the field and in the classroom. Sessions use sport psychology techniques — pre-performance routines, focus training, and mindset work — that transfer to academics, relationships, and everyday life, making the program valuable for all youth, not just athletes.
Do you offer low-cost or scholarship options for families?
Yes. Game Time is a licensed 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to keeping quality youth programming accessible regardless of family income. We offer financial assistance and scholarship options for qualifying families. Our non-profit model and community donor base allow us to subsidize participation for families facing financial barriers. Contact our team at 253.439.7233 or visit our Contact page to ask about available assistance and learn how to apply. No child should miss this program due to financial constraints.
How do I know if this program is right for my child or teen?
Get Your Mind Right is designed for any young person who could benefit from stronger emotional tools — which includes most youth today. It is especially valuable for students experiencing stress, anxiety, declining confidence, or difficulty managing emotions and relationships. It is also a strong fit for youth who are doing well but want to build the mental edge to perform and connect even better. If you have questions about fit, call us at 253.439.7233 — we will talk through whether this program is right for your child's specific needs and situation.
How do I enroll and what is the schedule?
Enrolling in Get Your Mind Right is straightforward. Contact Game Time at 253.439.7233 or use our online Contact page to submit an inquiry. Our team will follow up to confirm program availability, session schedules, and locations in your area. Sessions are held weekly at partner schools, community centers, and churches across Tacoma and Pierce County. Space in each cohort is limited, so we encourage families to reach out early to secure a spot for their child before sessions fill up.
Get Started with Youth Mental Wellness Support Today
Call 253.439.7233 or Reach Out Online
Your child doesn't have to navigate stress, anxiety, or emotional pressure alone. Game Time's Get Your Mind Right program gives Tacoma youth the tools they need to thrive. Whether your child is struggling or simply ready to grow, we are here to help. Reach out today and take the first step toward stronger mental wellness for your young person.
Next Steps to Join the Get Your Mind Right Program
- Call or contact us to ask about availability and current session schedules
- Complete a quick enrollment inquiry for your child
- Our team confirms program fit, placement, and session details
- Your child attends their first Get Your Mind Right session