{"id":817,"date":"2023-11-09T14:35:24","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T20:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepathleticdirector.com\/?p=817"},"modified":"2023-11-09T15:03:27","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T21:03:27","slug":"addressing-student-athlete-mental-health-issues-prevention-access-to-services-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepathleticdirector.com\/articles\/addressing-student-athlete-mental-health-issues-prevention-access-to-services-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Addressing Student-Athlete Mental Health Issues: Prevention, Access To Services, And Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Athletic departments have come to realize that student-\u00adathletes\u2019 \u00admental health can no longer be ignored, and we believe this \u00adwill be one of the biggest challenges athletic departments must face. More and more studies are being conducted related to student-\u00adathlete \u00admental health. For example, Cox et al. (2017) found that 33.2 \u00adpercent of 950 Division I student-\u00adathletes reported symptoms of depression, with female athletes reporting higher rates than male athletes. Putukian (2020) links physical health with \u00admental health, stating that \u201cfor some student-\u00adathletes, the psychological response to injury can trigger or unmask serious \u00admental health issues such as depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and substance use or abuse\u201d (p. 1). In 2020, the NCAA commissioned a study on how the pandemic was affecting student-\u00adathletes. A survey was e-\u00admailed in the spring and a similar survey was sent again in the fall. Almost 25,000 athletes completed the survey. In both semesters, athletes indicated elevated rates of depression, \u00admental exhaustion, anxiety, and hopelessness. \u00adMental health concerns \u00adwere highest among \u00adwomen, \u00adthose living alone or away from campus, \u00adthose on the queer spectrum, and \u00adthose reporting \u00adfamily economic hardship.<\/p>\n<p>Strategies to address student-\u00adathlete \u00admental health concerns should begin with an examination of behavioral practices within the sport culture that may exacerbate \u00admental health issues. Additionally, institutions must clearly communicate how athletes can access the \u00admental health ser\u00advices available to them and must have strict protocols in place for \u00adactual treatment.<\/p><div class=\"prepa-billboard-ad-in-content\" style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"prepa-3558214090\"><div data-cfpa=\"1819\" data-cfpw=\"1819\" id=\"prepa-2286406539\"><a data-bid=\"1\" data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/prepathleticdirector.com\/athleticdirector-supplier-connect\/1819\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"notrack\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Tiny-Mobile-Robots_Digital_Prep-Athletic-Director_950X250_6_2024_V1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/prepathleticdirector.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tiny-Mobile-Robots_Digital_Prep-Athletic-Director_950X250_6_2024_V1.png\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/prepathleticdirector.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tiny-Mobile-Robots_Digital_Prep-Athletic-Director_950X250_6_2024_V1.png 950w, https:\/\/prepathleticdirector.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tiny-Mobile-Robots_Digital_Prep-Athletic-Director_950X250_6_2024_V1-300x79.png 300w, https:\/\/prepathleticdirector.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tiny-Mobile-Robots_Digital_Prep-Athletic-Director_950X250_6_2024_V1-768x202.png 768w, https:\/\/prepathleticdirector.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tiny-Mobile-Robots_Digital_Prep-Athletic-Director_950X250_6_2024_V1-500x132.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" width=\"950\" height=\"250\"   \/><\/a><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">;new advadsCfpAd( 1819 );<\/script><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sport Culture.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00adThere is no doubt that the sport culture is fraught with perceptions and practices that can undermine the physical and \u00admental health of student-\u00adathletes. The expectation that athletes must be strong, resilient, and never show weakness encourages a culture in which athletes often hide injuries or feelings of emotional and \u00admental distress. This is exacerbated by the fact that many coaches use abusive strategies and practices to \u201ctoughen up\u201d athletes. Reardon et al. (2019) found that psychological abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse \u00adwere the three most common forms of nonaccidental vio\u00adlence committed by adults with power over athletes. Unfortunately, the only cases of abuse that \u00adpeople become aware of are \u00adthose that make national media headlines, such as the avoidable death of University of Mary\u00adland football player Jordan McNair, the \u00adwomen\u2019s soccer players at the University of Houston that suffered from rhabdomyolysis \u00adafter being subjected to grueling workouts, and the hundreds of gymnasts at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics that \u00adwere sexually abused by team physician Larry Nassar.<\/li>\n<li>\u00adThese cases are the tip of the iceberg. Many head coaches, assistant coaches, and strength coaches routinely use verbal and physical abuse and circumvent policies and rules regarding time spent in athletic activities that result in athlete depression, loss of confidence, overuse injuries, eating disorders, lack of sleep, and many other physical, emotional, and \u00admental issues. \u00adThese coaches live by the man\u00adtra \u201cmore is better\u201d and reject evidence or science that does not support their narrative. They put athletes in untenable situations where they cannot keep up with their studies yet they also pressure them to get grades that \u00adwill maintain eligibility to participate. Coaches justify \u00adthese practices as imparting the discipline and control that is needed to create a winning program. \u00adThere is no sign that \u00adthese abusive practices are abating. A primary reason for this abuse is that the United States, unlike many other developed countries, does not require any nationally accredited educational standards or certifications to become a coach. Some states require courses for high school coaches but the quality of \u00adthose programs varies greatly. Typically, college coaches only need a college degree, even if that degree is unrelated to teaching, sports physiology, sports psy\u00adchol\u00adogy, or other relevant fields of study. Therefore, without the appropriate education and a recognized professional organ\u00adization like the National Education Association or the American Medical Association that could provide professional development and monitor abuse, \u00adthese practices are perpetuated.<br \/>\nA second reason that this abuse prevails is \u00adbecause some athletic directors fail to: (1) establish standards of professional conduct, (2) monitor staff conduct, (3) act decisively when coaches or other support staff use abusive tactics, and (4) establish systems for reporting abuse and protecting whistle\u00adblowers. Athletic directors may believe that coaches need complete autonomy and that the athletic director should not interfere in team administration. Some coaches wield enough power with alumni or boards of trustees that supervisory oversight is difficult. Other athletic directors may want to protect the brand of the department, team, or coach and refuse to take action that may induce a critical review of the program. Chapters 6, 7, and 11 provide information that \u00adwill help the athletic director establish standards of professional conduct and implement policies and procedures that work \u00adtoward eliminating student-\u00adathlete abuse.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Communicating Access to \u00adMental Health Ser\u00advices.<\/strong>\u00a0Most student-\u00adathletes have access to sports medicine facilities that are staffed with certified athletic trainers and, in some cases, team doctors. Coaches and athletes rely heavi\u00adly on \u00adthese professionals to tend to athletes\u2019 physical injuries and rehabilitation needs. In contrast, many athletic departments have never addressed the \u00admental health or counseling needs of student-\u00adathletes. Coaches or administrators have rarely promoted the \u00admental health ser\u00advices that are provided to all students on campus and only encouraged student-\u00adathletes to utilize \u00adthese ser\u00advices when they \u00adwere faced with serious \u00admental health issues. The stigma attached to emotional or \u00admental health concerns as signs of weakness made it a topic that was avoided or ignored.<br \/>\nAs noted, in 2019 all NCAA member institutions \u00adadopted legislation to make the provision of \u00admental health ser\u00advices for athletes required. The 2020\u201321 NCAA Division I rules manual states:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>An institution \u00adshall make \u00admental health ser\u00advices and resources available to its student-\u00adathletes. Such ser\u00advices and resources may be provided by the department of athletics and\/or the institution\u2019s health ser\u00advices or counseling ser\u00advices department. Provision of ser\u00advices and resources should be consistent with the Interassociation Consensus Report: \u00adMental Health Best Practices. In addition, an institution must distribute \u00admental health educational materials and resources to student-\u00adathletes, including \u00adthose transitioning out of their sport, coaches, athletics administrators, and other athletics personnel throughout the year. Such educational resources must include a guide to the \u00admental health ser\u00advices and resources available at the institution and information regarding how to access them. (p. 254)<\/p>\n<p>The Interassociation Consensus Report mentioned above was created by members of the NCAA Sport Science Institute and leading \u00admental health organ\u00adizations across the country to understand and support student-\u00adathlete \u00admental wellness. All athletic directors, coaches, and staff that work directly with athletes should read this comprehensive report and access the NCAA Sports Science Institute website, which includes numerous resources and educational materials related to \u00admental health and other student-\u00adathlete wellness and safety protocols. However, it is impor\u00adtant to note that this NCAA resource falls very short in addressing the elephant in the room: the proclivity of coach abuse that can lead to student-\u00adathletes\u2019 physical, emotional, and \u00admental health issues. The authors concur with a Drake Group position statement (2019) suggesting that the Sports Science Institute should develop and require \u00adevery coach to take an online \u00admental health training program and coaches should be expected to comply with an NCAA code of conduct that prohibits physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.<\/p>\n<p>The consensus report does address the need for coaches to be supportive of student-\u00adathletes when they become aware of emotional or \u00admental concerns. Providing \u00admental health resources to student-\u00adathletes \u00adwill not have much effect on be\u00adhav\u00adior if coaches continue to demonstrate frustration with athletes who are struggling or if they fail to openly espouse trust in the \u00admental health ser\u00advices provided. The impor\u00adtant role coaches play in reducing the stigma associated with \u00admental illness and appearing weak cannot be understated. This is particularly true for Black athletes. A study completed by Evans (2017) found evidence that Black student-\u00adathletes resisted addressing \u00admental health issues \u00adbecause \u00admental health ser\u00advices have been stigmatized in the African American community; time is \u00adlimited to access ser\u00advices due to athletic, academic, and social obligations; and Black athletes already are dealing with the combined stigmas perpetuated by some students and faculty that marginalize them \u00adbecause they are Black and a student-\u00adathlete.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Protocols for Treatment.<\/strong>\u00a0Treatment should only be provided by clinical licensed \u00admental health care professionals. The authors feel strongly that \u00adthese professionals should not report directly to anyone whose primary employment is in the athletic department. \u00adThere is too much at stake to risk a conflict of interest that results in a coach digging for information or putting pressure on an athlete\u2019s counselor \u00adbecause s\/he is frustrated with the athlete\u2019s per\u00adfor\u00admance. We have seen this dynamic far too often between coaches and athletic trainers, so we can safely assume it would happen with \u00admental health professionals. Counselors must be \u00adfree to resist any interference by athletic department staff. It is also impor\u00adtant to create a situation where confidentiality is less likely to be breached and student-\u00adathletes feel safe to share their experiences with someone outside the control of the athletic department. This does not mean that the licensed professional cannot be \u00adhoused in a discreet location in the athletic department. In fact, Gill (2020) contends that some athletes \u00adwill not go to campus-\u00adbased counseling centers out of fear of being recognized or for other reasons. The NCAA also recommends that student-\u00adathletes should be provided with a list of licensed prac\u00adti\u00adtion\u00aders so they can self-\u00adrefer to someone who is completely outside of the athletic department if they desire. We believe such a policy \u00adwill increase the chances of student-\u00adathletes asking for help.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This is an excerpt from\u00a0<a class=\"linkBlog-to-product\" href=\"https:\/\/us.humankinetics.com\/products\/athletic-directors-desk-reference-2nd-edition-with-hkpropel-access\">Athletic Director&#8217;s Desk Reference 2nd Edition With HKPropel Access<\/a> by Donna A. Lopiano &amp; Connee Zotos, published by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/us.humankinetics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Human Kinetics<\/a>. Donna A. Lopiano, PhD, is president of Sports Management Resources, a consulting firm that draws on the knowledge of experienced former athletic directors to assist scholastic and collegiate athletic departments in solving challenges in growth and development. She served for 18 years as the director of women\u2019s athletics at the University of Texas at Austin and is a past president of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. During her tenure at the University of Texas, she built what many believe to be the premier women\u2019s athletic program in the country, twice earning the award for top program in the nation. Connee Zotos, PhD, has over 38 years of experience in scholastic and collegiate athletics as a basketball and field hockey coach, Division II and Division III athletic director, and professor. Zotos served as the director of athletics at Drew University and William Smith College and director of women\u2019s athletics at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. She has published numerous articles in refereed and nonrefereed journals and is a noted speaker and author on tiered funding models in collegiate athletics, coaches\u2019 employment and compensation packages, coach evaluation systems, and gender equity in sport.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Athletic departments have come to realize that student-\u00adathletes\u2019 \u00admental health can no longer be ignored, and we believe this \u00adwill be one of the biggest challenges athletic departments must face.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":825,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-sports-medicine","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Addressing Student-Athlete Mental Health Issues<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Athletic departments realize that student-\u00adathletes\u2019 \u00admental health can no longer be ignored, and we believe this \u00adwill be one of the biggest challenges athletic departments must face.\" \/>\n<meta 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