Coaches / Staff Resources
Schedule a Consultation with Mental Health Team
- The Mental Health Team offers support to coaches and staff members around strategies for optimizing athletic performance and how to support student-athlete’s mental health. Each MHT 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 MHT member or call/text your MHT Liaison.
Mental Health Team Liaison
Kristie Baumchen 785-393-5015 FB, SWD, WBB, WGO
Nedu Izuegbunam 785-331-9236 BSB, MBB, MGO, ROW, TEN
Dr. Emily Tyler 785-331-9638 TFXC, SFB, SOC, VB
MHT Fall 2024 Packet
Confidentiality
One of the most important aspects of psychological management and treatment involves the issue of confidentiality. Healthcare practitioners are legally and ethically required to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of their patients. They cannot divulge any information about their patients to anyone (even the patient’s parents) without the patient’s written consent. Even then, the information is still restricted to what the patient agrees can be released, what is appropriate to be released, the conditions under which the information can be released and to whom. The only exceptions to the release of such information occur in cases involving imminent risk to the patient or others, child abuse, and a court order requesting the information. Confidentiality assures patients that their information will not be shared with anyone without their consent. The purpose of confidentiality is to promote a therapeutic atmosphere in which patients feel safe and secure enough to talk about anything related to their difficulties, regardless of how serious or personal.
Although confidentiality is viewed as the cornerstone of psychological treatment, it can feel like a stumbling block to people who want to know about the patient’s condition, treatment and progress. Most of the time, the people seeking this information are simply concerned for the patient’s welfare. Regardless of their motives, however, the information cannot be released by the practitioner without the patient’s written consent. Sometimes for a variety of reasons, the patient may not want others to know anything about his or her condition or treatment. Even if the patient consents, the practitioner still makes the decision whether it is appropriate or in the patient’s best interests to release the information. Obviously, this can be quite frustrating to someone who wants the information.
Some coaches have the benefit of having a departmental clinical sport psychologist. Those coaches who have such a benefit, or who have an ongoing, working relationship with a psychologist or mental health professional, will likely know what to expect and how to proceed. Those who are working with a mental health professional for the first time are likely to have the most success by contacting the professional, introducing yourself, explaining that you understand and respect confidentiality issues, but would also like to be helpful to the student-athlete. Therefore, with everyone’s consent, you would simply like to know if the student-athlete is okay, if appointments are being kept, how treatment is progressing, whether the student-athlete should be training or competing, and what you might do to be helpful. This type of dialogue will not only be helpful with the existing case, but can facilitate the management of subsequent cases by laying the groundwork for a good relationship with the professional or agency.
Confidentiality does not have to be a problem, especially if it is handled properly from the beginning by healthcare professionals, both in terms of describing confidentiality to the patient and to those requesting information. In such circumstances, most patients are usually willing to consent to information release to significant others, especially if it pertains to general statements regarding condition and progress rather than specific information related to specific issues. Regardless, this release of information must always be voluntary by the patient. The patient should never be manipulated or coerced into giving permission.
Sometimes the concerned persons in the patient’s life may not be requesting information. Rather, they may want to provide the practitioner with information. Different practitioners handle this situation differently. Some may not want information. Even if they are willing to receive information, it may be difficult to do so because confidentiality precludes them from even acknowledging that they are treating the patient.
The Role of the Coach: We have discussed why and how the coach should be involved in managing mental health issues that arise in their student-athletes. We have stressed that the coach’s role is not to be a therapist to affected student-athletes, but rather to “identify” and “refer.” This is not to say, however, that they should be uninvolved in the student-athlete’s treatment. Coaches have considerable power and influence with their student-athletes. That power and influence can be used by coaches to encourage and support treatment, which can have a positive effect on treatment outcome.
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
