Hornets partner with Thompson to expand youth mental health support across the Carolinas

The Charlotte Hornets are partnering with Charlotte-based nonprofit Thompson Child and Family Focus to expand youth mental health support across the state.

The collaboration, announced by Hornets Sports and Entertainment, will also include the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. The goal is to bring practical mental wellness support into places where kids already show up consistently: teams, coaches, camps, and youth sports programs.

At the center of the initiative is a new program called Hive Mind, which focuses on helping coaches, teams, and young athletes build skills tied to mental fitness. Another element, called Mental Timeout, will be added to Hornets Hoops clinics and camps to reinforce mental wellness alongside athletic development.

Thompson CEO Will Jones said the initiative is expected to reach between 5,000 and 10,000 children each year through the curriculum in partnership with the Hornets. He also noted that the program has potential to expand further through school systems across the greater Charlotte region, not only within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

According to Jones, the pilot is expected to launch soon, beginning with training and a full curriculum for participating coaches. The long-term impact is designed to go beyond a one-time message by giving adults who work with youth consistent tools to support emotional awareness, resilience, and healthy coping strategies.

In a moment when youth mental health remains a growing concern for families and schools, this partnership is a notable example of a major sports organization using its platform to normalize mental wellness and support kids where they are.

Learn more or get involved:

• Thompson Child and Family Focus: https://www.thompsoncff.org/

• Charlotte Hornets Community Programs: https://www.nba.com/hornets/community

• Read the full WFAE story: WFAE coverage