Effectiveness of mental health resources for student athletes: Survey of NCAA Division I teams
Abstract
College athletes are in a unique position; they are required to devote time and effort to the success of their academics while competing at an elite level in their sport. In the United States young adults aged eighteen to twenty-five experience the highest prevalence of mental illnesses (NIMH, 2020). It is important that health care providers have an appropriate understanding of the perceptions of mental health resources for college athletes, because they are less likely to report mental health issues, (De Souza et al. 2019). The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of student athletes' knowledge and use of mental health resources, as well as perceptions of stigma about accessing resources. This study focuses on three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams, and the athletes' personal experiences with mental healthcare. Each athlete completed a survey that centered around their physical health, mental health, and their experience with accessing mental health resources. Results suggest that student athletes experience added stress due to their status as student athletes, and believe that mental health resources offered through the university's athletic department would be beneficial. We conclude that student athletes would benefit from mental health resources that are accessible through their athletic department.