Coaches / Staff Resources
Schedule a Consultation with Mental Health and Performance (MHAPS) Team
- The MHAPS team offers support to coaches and staff members around strategies for optimizing athletic performance and how to support student-athlete’s mental health. Each MHAPS provider works with specific sports teams to provide team talks, coach consultation, and team support around mental health and mental performance topics.
- Easily book an appointment with a MHAPS member or call/text your MHAPS Liaison.
Mental Health Team Liaison
Kristie Baumchen 785-393-5015 FB, SOC, SWD, VB, WBB, WGO
Isaiah Robinson-McBride 785-331-9236 BSB, MBB, MGO, ROW, SFB, TEN, TFXC
MHT Fall 2024 Packet
Summary
1. The coach’s responsibility is to recognize and refer, not treat psychological problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders or substance abuse disorders.
2. Approaching a student-athlete to discuss psychological issues requires good listening skills.
3. Referrals are most successful when made to a specific person.
4. Confidentiality is an essential aspect of psychological treatment.
References
NCAA Sport Science Institute. (2016).
Mental Health Best Practices: Inter-Association Consensus Document: Best Practices for Understanding and Supporting Student-Athlete Mental Wellness.
https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/5/2/mental-health-best-practices.aspx
NCAA. (2014).
Mind, Body, & Sport: Understanding and Supporting Student-Athlete Wellness.
http://www.ncaapublications.com/p-4375-mind-body-and-sport-understanding-and-supporting-student-athlete-mental-wellness.aspx
How to Support a Student-Athlete in Distress
Student athletes are often most comfortable talking first to a friend, teammate, or peer when they are struggling. And although we want to help, it can sometimes be hard to know what to say in order to be supportive, so here are some things to keep in mind.
- Remember, the student athlete came to you because they have a level of trust with you - this is a positive start. You might want to let them know you are aware it is not easy to open up and that you are glad he/she did.
- Approach and respond from a place of care and compassion.
- Listen, listen, listen - Allow them to express thoughts and feelings. Allow for moments of silence.
- Avoid judging. Provide unconditional support. There is no need to pressure yourself to solve or fix the problem. You are not the clinician. Normalize the student athlete's experience and offer hope.
- Ask questions for clarification.
- Ask questions about personal safety ("Are you thinking of hurting yourself?" and "are you thinking of suicide?") Asking these questions will NOT plant the idea in their head. If the answer to these questions is "yes" call our office or take your friend to the nearest medical personnel.
- Do NOT promise a friend that you will keep their suicidal thoughts or behavior private! "We need extra help. I want to connect you with someone who can help you."
- If you are approaching a student-athlete due to concerns you have for their wellbeing, be prepared to share concrete, specific examples of behaviors and actions that created your concern. State them factually, without judgment and commentary. For example, "I am worried about you. You don't seem like yourself lately. You haven't been eating, you've been sleeping a lot, and you don't seem as focused at practice. Have you thought about going to talk with someone about what's on your mind?
- Let them know there are resources available that can help and that you believe they can benefit from them.
- You may choose to offer to go with them to the provider for the first time. Some people will be open to that and take you up on your offer. Do not offer this if you can't follow through, or don't really want to do this.
- Recognize that the student-athlete may not be ready for help right away and may refuse your suggestion. Don't take it personally. You might want to follow up in a few days, specifically asking about the concern, and whether they have considered the idea of talking to a provider. If the willingness and interest is there now - provide contact information for the Mental Health Team.
If the student athlete acknowledges having thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harm to others, it is imperative that you speak immediately to one or more of the following: MHT provider, team physician, or athletic trainer. On the rare occasion where there is an immediate threat to safety, call 911.
Campus Resources
