Fostering Healthy Mental Environments for Athletes

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct. 6-10), The Cyclone Chronicle is highlighting the importance of mental health in athletes.

Fostering Healthy Mental Environments For Athletes

Mental health in athletes–and how to help them recognize and manage it–has become an important conversation in the world of sports over the past couple of years. Recent high profile examples include gymnast Simone Biles dropping out of the 2020 Olympics due to mental health struggles, demonstrating that even high-profile athletes have their challenges. Another high-profile example is Jaren Duran, Boston Red Sox outfielder, who attempted suicide in 2022. Both of these accomplished athletes shared their stories to let other athletes know that they aren’t alone with mental health struggles.

Sadly, they are not alone. Many professional football players have been diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease thought to be caused by repeated head injuries. Along with causing anxiety and depression, it is incurable and permanent.

And what about the college athlete?

“It’s ok not to be ok,” said Trey Moses, former Ball State basketball player in a 2018 interview with NBC Sports.  He wanted to make sure people heard him and understood that sometimes it's ok to not be ok.

https://www.nbcsports.com/college-basketball/news/its-ok-to-not-be-ok-trey-moses-battle-for-mental-wellness 

“When I was younger in college, I was suicidal; I was heavily medicated and felt trapped. And you would never know because I was having a ton of success on the court. But internally, and in life in general, I was ready to be done,” Hailey Van Lith told ESPN. https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44421494/tcu-hailey-van-lith-glad-opened-mental-health

Here at Centenary, the Counseling Center staff collaborates with Athletics on workshops and programs to support mental health for our student-athletes on an annual basis, according to Mikolaya Nynka, director of the Counseling Center.

“At Centenary, 27% of Counseling Center clients are student athletes. We work to help students improve mental well-being, grow resilience, and enhance performance,” said Nynka.

“Centenary University is committed to supporting the mental health of our student athletes," she continued. “Athletes are at an increased risk for mental health challenges, yet often experience barriers to seeking professional help, from seeing it as a sign of weakness to concerns about confidentiality and scheduling.”

Knowing where to turn is the first step. Campus-based contacts that provide free, confidential mental health support for student athletes include athletic trainers, team physicians, licensed mental health professionals, campus counseling centers and faculty athletics representatives, according to NCAA.org guidelines.

“Centenary is ahead of the curve when it comes to providing resources and supporting the mental health of our athletes,” said Pete Vincent, athletic director.

“The Counseling Center meets with individual teams and consults with coaches about supporting athlete’s mental health. They collaborate with Athletics on workshops and programs for student athletes on an annual basis,” added Nynka. “Programs include anxiety/depression/eating disorder awareness, risk of suicide, and your words matter. The Counseling Center meets with individual teams and consults with coaches about supporting athletes’ mental health.”

“In August, all Centenary coaches were trained in Mental Health First Aid as part of an NCAA initiative,” said Nynka.

Mental health is an important dimension of over-all health. Check in on your mental health and complete a confidential mental health screening at The Wellness Center located in the yellow house behind Brotherton Hall at 605 Grand Avenue.

Come celebrate World Mental Health Day with Therapy Dogs on Friday, Oct. 10 from 1-2:30 p.m. outside the library.

Interested in FREE mental health certifications? Online training is available for Suicide Prevention 24/7 at https://asklistenrefer.org/centenaryuniversity/

FREE training for mental health first aid certification will be held Wednesday, Nov. 12 and 19 (must attend both) from 1-4 p.m. 

Contact mikolaya.nynka@centenaryuniversity.edu for more information.

Health matters. Mental health matters. Your voice matters.

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline–TEXT or CALL 988