Adrian College issued the following announcement.
“This is probably the most urgent medical issue on campuses.”
That’s how Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Commissioner Penny Allen-Cook opened Tuesday’s mental health symposium, hosted by Adrian College.
Feeling overwhelmed, lacking energy and sleep, and struggling with depression and even suicide are pressing issues facing college students across the nation. Student-athletes are no different.
Thirty percent of student-athletes report feeling overwhelmed, according to a video shown at the beginning of the conference, held at the Adrian College boathouse at Devils Lake.
A quarter of student-athletes feel exhausted from their sport and a third struggle to find the energy for activities outside of their sport.
Other statistics are more jarring.
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for college athletes, according to a study that tracked deaths from 2004 to 2009.
Suicide hit close to home for one MIAA-member school last November when Albion College’s Zachary Winston killed himself when he stepped in front of a train. Winston, a brother of Michigan State University basketball standout Cassius Winston, was known as cheerful and friendly.
The tragic death shook the small college. In a column written by the Detroit Free Press’ Jeff Seidel, the death of Winston created a sort of movement on Albion’s campus where students reached out to one another and information was distributed on suicide prevention.
Tuesday’s conference was attended by coaches, athletic trainers, athletic directors, counselors and others representing each of the MIAA’s schools.
The day-long event gave an overview of mental health in regard to student-athletes, what each school sees on its campus, featured speakers, best practices and a chance to discuss what’s working at other schools.
Allen-Cook said it was a chance for school representatives to be vulnerable and share what they’re doing and not doing.
“The symposium gave each campus the opportunity to put key stakeholders around a table without other distractions to have the discussion, think critically about our own processes and create a plan to correct any shortfalls,” said Meg Sharp via email. Sharp is the assistant athletic trainer at Adrian College.
Sharp said she works with student-athletes daily who are overwhelmed. There are practices and games on top of classes. Any personal issues and the natural life transitions that come with being a college student can compound those feelings. She said she also sees athletes who carry the weight of “significant” trauma that occurred earlier in their lives.
There’s certainly a need across campuses.
Bill Russner, a clinical coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Hope College, said demand is up on campus for their services. CAPS offers individual and group counseling, consultations and educational programming.
Their offices see about 10% of Hope’s student-athletes, more than the national figure of 3.5%, and about 15% of all students.
Russner said they’ve tried to be more accessible with 30-minute, day-of meetings for students who are in need. However, they’re still limited and are only open during what would be considered normal business hours.
“It’s an issue, and it’s going to continue to be an issue,” Russner said about the demand for resources.
Challenges facing Hope students, according to Ruffner, are time commitments, a lack of sleep and weight and eating issues.
In regards to sleep, Russner said it’s “almost a badge of honor” among students to function on a few hours of sleep.
It can be even harder for student-athletes. Only 17% of male student-athletes report feeling rested when they wake up. That number is even smaller for women, at 11%.
There’s also an overarching stigma attached to mental health. The “tough it out” mentality associated with athletics, whether it’s pushing through a grueling workout or not letting on when there’s an injury, does not lend itself to openly talking about mental health issues.
Allen-Cook said some athletes think if they let a coach know they’re having a mental health issue they might be treated differently.
Adrian College is trying to overcome that stigma, according to its representatives.
“An area that AC will look to improve on is the education of faculty and coaches, so they are comfortable having the difficult conversation with a student and know the appropriate methods of referral to best help that student,” Sharp said. “This will also include an emergency action plan for mental health concerns.”
Athletic director Mike Duffy called the symposium “outstanding” and said he learned of training by Wayne State University on mental health first aid. He said intends to have all AC coaches attend.
Sharp said they’ve tried to make information more accessible on campus with the “Need a Helping Paw?” sticker program. Students can find the stickers in private areas, like restrooms, certain offices, and the athletic training room. They can scan the QR code with their phones and it will give students access to national resources, such as for suicide prevention and substance abuse.
Allen-Cook agreed that destigmatizing mental health is a hurdle and one of the goals for the MIAA. Asked what impressed her, she said the resources available at member schools.
“They have action plans in place and know where to refer students that display a need,” Allen-Cook said in an email. “Many of our members have early warning signs reporting software in place that professors, staff and fellow students can use to touch base with students that might be struggling.”
The commissioner said she’s hopeful the collaborative work that began at Tuesday’s symposium continues across campuses.
Original source can be found here.
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