Kids on the Pitch

Kids on the Pitch Podcast: Libby Mascaro ‘leads with love’ in crusade to promote Mental Health Awareness

by
John Krysinsky
October 13, 2022

Photo courtesy Libby Mascaro Twitter

In our latest, special edition of Kids on the Pitch podcast, as PSN embraces Mental Health Awareness, John Krysinsky is joined by Libby Mascaro, who currently coaches at Beadling SC and was a part of the Mt. Lebanon ‘Dream Team’ of the 1990s soccer dynasty and played collegiately at Penn State University.

Libby shares her personal story, including her crusade and ongoing efforts help those who are afflicted with mental health illnesses and disorders.

LISTEN ONApple Podcasts

LISTEN ONGoogle Podcasts

LISTEN ONSpotify

Among the topics John and Libby tackled on the Podcast included:

Libby thoughts on Mt. Lebanon’s Mia Bhuta, who is playing with US Youth National Women’s Soccer team at the U17 Women’s World Cup
Stigma associated with mental illness and disorders
Female athlete mental health (four young female athlete suicides this year)
Her personal story and other personal stories
Addressing ongoing challenges for youth coaches, parents, soccer organizations and schools in mentoring, guiding and supporting young athletes and students.
Resources to provide help and assistance
- NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness (website: https://www.nami.org/Home)
- AFSP: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (website: https://afsp.org/)

More about Libby Mascaro

For the last 10 years Libby has worked closely with two organizations, as she co-founded the Upper St. Clair Wellness Committee and the No Place for Hate initiative, a national program supporting schools in their commitment to celebrating diversity, promoting respect for differences, and challenging bias and bullying at all levels. USC’s Wellness Committee’s mission is to make sure the students (and staff) in USC are healthy, both physically and mentally. I have held several fundraisers over these years raising almost $300,000 for local mental health resources. Plus she advocates strongly for mental health awareness through affiliations with organizations including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Through Libby’s coaching experiences, currently with Beadling SC, she empowers young female athletes to be the best at their game and their mind.

LIbby was recently awarded the Citizen of the Year award by Judge Ron Arnoni for work in the USC Community – specifically for mental health. She has spoken many times at hearings, Congressional meetings, Notary meetings, NAMI conferences, USC community events, the PTA and PTOs in USC, school assemblies and many other places.

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).