Lecture Notes: Understanding and Supporting Student-Athlete Mental Wellness

Introduction

• Mental health of student-athletes is a top priority for the NCAA.
• Student-athletes face unique challenges that impact their mental wellness.
• The NCAA has developed resources to help understand and support mental wellness among student-athletes.

Key Contributors

• Gary T. Brown (Editor)
• Brian Hainline (NCAA Chief Medical Officer)
• Emily Kroshus (Harvard School of Public Health)
• Mary Wilfert (NCAA Sport Science Institute)
• Various contributors from sports medicine, psychology, and higher education institutions.

Chapters Overview

Chapter 1: First-Person Perspectives

• Aaron Taylor: Discusses personal experience with depression while being a successful athlete.
• Molly McNamara: Shares insights on resilience and forming mental health support groups for athletes.
• Mark Potter: Coach’s perspective on battling depression and supporting athletes.

Chapter 2: Positioning the Experts

• Role of psychologists and psychiatrists in addressing student-athlete mental health.
• Importance of understanding the unique demands on student-athletes.
• Recognition of barriers in accessing mental health services.

Chapter 3: Dissecting the Disorders

• Eating Disorders: High prevalence among athletes, especially in "lean" sports. Focus on early identification and intervention.
• Anxiety Disorders: Common in athletes due to high pressure and expectations.
• Mood Disorders and Depression: Need for awareness of symptoms and effective referral to professionals.
• Substance Use: Alcohol and drug use as coping mechanisms. Importance of prevention programs.

Chapter 4: The Big Injury (and Small Ones, Too)

• Psychological impact of injuries on athletes.
• Concussion and its effects on mental health.
• Importance of support systems during injury recovery.

Chapter 5: Social and Environmental Risk Factors

• Risks from sport environment: performance pressure, time demands.
• Discrimination and harassment of minority and LGBTQ athletes.
• The impact of interpersonal violence on mental well-being.

Chapter 6: What Do You Do Now?

• Best practices for mental health services in athletics departments.
• Recommendations for developing mental health support plans and crisis management.
• Importance of communication and coordination among mental health care providers.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on the importance of mental health in overall student-athlete wellness.
• Call to action for institutions to implement the recommended strategies and resources.
• NCAA’s commitment to ongoing support and education for mental health awareness.

Additional Resources

• References to NCAA publications and guidelines for mental health services.
• Contact information for NCAA mental health task force members and contributors.