Athletic departments are focusing on mental health preparedness

There is a mental health crisis in young adults, and stress and financial concerns on campus may make it worse for students. Over 30% of collegiate students reported discussing mental health with a professional in 2023. Student-athletes especially have to balance the rigor of academics, practice schedules, travel, on-court player relationships, and online stressors.

Most university faculty are not medically trained mental health clinicians, but they are often personally connected with student-athletes; these relationships can be vital for student-athlete support. A recent trend is entire athletic programs are announcing mental health first-aid training programs. The Temple University for example recently announced that athletics staff, including coaches, have received mental health first aid training. These trainings are interactive and educate on best practices for responding to a student experiencing a mental health challenge. It helps staff to assess for immediate health risks, teaches how to listen without judgment, collect information, and give reassurance. In a campus setting, crisis intervention is crucial because it provides faculty, health staff, and coaches with strategies to identify and help students to get immediate psychiatric services. 

E&I has contracts with 6 leading mental healthcare services providers on campus: A&R Clinical Services and Crisis Management, DialCare, RCM Health Care, Syra Health, TimelyCare, and Workplace Options Inc. Contact Your E&I Rep. to Discuss Which May Be a Fit for Your School.

Why could student-athletes be more susceptible to mental health issues?
No one challenges an athlete's decision to rest from a fractured ankle or broken wrist, but sometimes it happens with mental health issues. These issues can be just as restricting to an athletes performance, but often go neglected. What are some roadblocks to addressing mental health concerns?
   •   Traveling away from campus can make it difficult to see a therapist or counselor
   •   Stigma issues, are especially prevalent in athletics
   •   Lack of virtual resources, or even lack of familiarity on how to use them
   •   Cost and insurance coverage
   •   Lack of confidentiality
   •   Limited time between studies and sports

As a result of the increased mental health challenges due to COVID-19, more coaches report spending more time discussing mental health with student-athletes. While this increase is welcome news, it also highlights that coaches need support too.