Sports activities might help teens in rural Nepal feel better mentally

In rural Nepal, many teens struggle with mental health issues but have little access to support. Researchers tested whether adding fun sports like football, dance, and martial arts could make a difference. They designed a 10-month program that included weekly sports sessions, community events, and home visits. The goal was to see if these activities could boost mood, confidence, and social connections.The study split 4, 000 teens across four villages into two groups. Half took part in the sports program while the other half stuck to regular activities. Before and after the program, teens answered surveys about their well-being, stress, and social life. Only about half of the teens in the sports group showed up regularly, with younger kids and those from less privileged backgrounds attending more often. The sports sessions mostly kept to a good standard, but the impact on mental health was mixed. The program didn’t dramatically improve general happiness but showed signs of reducing anxiety and boosting support from friends and family. The cost was low—just 7 cents per teen per session—but it’s unclear if this approach alone can solve deeper mental health gaps.