Title: Student-Athlete and Mental Health Experiences

Scholars:  Heather Ryan- Executive Director of Academic Support for Student-Athletes at Duke University

Joy Gaston Gayles-Associate Professor of Higher Education at North Carolina State University 

Lydia Bell-Associate Director of Research for Academic Performance at the National Collegiate Athletic Association

Ryan, Gayles, and Bell (2018) explore the growth of mental illness among college student-athletes. Mental illness is any change in actions, thoughts, or emotions, which may lead to relationship, social, or employment issues.   Approximately 19.4% of young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 years experience some form of mental disorder such as depression or anxiety (Locke, Wallace, & Bruner, 2016). The scholars explain that there are a number factors contributing to growing mental health problems for young adults. Included are social and cultural factors such as parent/family conflict, lack of coping strategies to deal with emotions such as anger and anxiety, and early experimentation with drugs, alcohol, and sex (Kitzrow, 2009). The article describes the four most common mental health issues facing college athletes which are depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. 

Barriers and Underutilization of Mental Health Resources on campus:

1. Lack of time

2. Fear of possible negative reactions from coaches and administration

3. Fear of experiencing personal discomfort

Conditions that would increase student-athlete access to mental health care

1. Free services

2. Access to a practitioner with an understanding of the student-athlete experience

3. Ability to schedule appointments online

Implications for mental health support services for student-athletes

1. Development of the  athlete-parent relationship is crucial to the management of mental health for student-athletes. When it comes to personal problems, family waste  preferred source of support as opposed to coaches, teammates, campus administrators of non-athlete peers.

2. Coaches can help create norms within the intercollegiate athletic environment that support and demystify the counseling experience. Coaches are central to creating an organizational culture that emphasizes the importance of positive mental health and encourages the solicitation of treatment when necessary. 

Resources:

Ryan, H., Gayles, J. G., & Bell, L. (2018). Student‐Athletes and Mental Health Experiences. New Directions for Student Services, 2018(163), 67-79.

Locke, B., Wallace, D., & Bruner, J. (2016). Emerging issues and models in college mental health services. New Directions for Student Services, 156, 19-30. 

Kitzrow, M. A. (2009). The mental health needs of today’s college students: Challenges and recommendations. NASPA Journal, 46(4), 10-1210.