Download Mental Health Policy Form - Nyack Athletics

Nyack College Athletics Mental Health Policy
Tips, Recognition, Evaluation & Care
Per the NCAA document “Inter-Association Consensus Document: Best-Practices for Understanding and
Supporting Student-Athlete Mental Wellness,” drafted in 2013 during a task force convened to address
the mental health of student-athletes at the college level; it was discussed, and strongly recommended,
that each institution develop and implement an interdisciplinary team focused on supporting the mental
wellness of all student-athletes. As with any medical team within intercollegiate sports, the Team
Physician is at the helm. At Nyack College, the Sports Medicine Staff would be the immediate resource
for a struggling student-athlete. Along with the Sports Medicine Staff, the Nyack College Counseling
Department will be utilized, if necessary, so that the best care may be given. When appropriate, the
Athletic Director will be brought in to make administrative decisions regarding the student-athlete. It is
important that anyone involved with a potential mental health situation report to one of these
persons/groups before any further decisions can be made concerning an individual athlete’s mental health.
Should questions arise, please contact the Sports Medicine Staff, who will, when needed, refer these
questions to the appropriate person/persons.
As coaches, administrators, managers, teammates, roommates, etc. you play a very important role in a
student’s time here at Nyack College. The amount of time we spend with each other both on and off the
field gives us a unique perspective on who each individual is that many others probably would not see.
Because of these relationships, you are in an excellent place to notice and recognize any signs of
unhealthy behavior and mental health issues. Please understand that everyone has “bad days.” An isolated
incident generally will not be an indicator of mental distress. However, when someone is showing a
pattern of unhealthy behavior, it is important to consider the possibility that there is something wrong.
Below is a list of recognizable signs and symptoms of mental distress. This list is not all inclusive.
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Changes in eating and sleeping habits
Difficulty concentrating
Lack of interest or participation of things
that he/she is usually interested in
Loss of motivation
Withdrawing/isolating from social contact
Irritable, edgy, impatient, argumentative
Deterioration in appearance or hygiene
Negative self-talk
Excessive worry or fear
Loss of enjoyment in activities previously
found enjoyable
Irresponsibility, lying
Mood swings or lack of emotion
Feeling out of control
Physical complaints not related to sports
injury
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Overuse injuries, unresolved injuries, or
continually being injured
Unhealthy weight control practices (e.g.
restrictive dieting, binge eating, overexercising, self-induced vomiting, or abuse
of laxatives, weight loss supplements, and
diuretics)
Unexplained wounds or deliberate selfharm
Talking about death, dying, or “going
away”
Again, it is very important to be aware of someone’s normal behavior so that if something changes, it is easily
recognizable and, if necessary, can be addressed. When a situation arises in which a student is clearly struggling with a
mental health issue, please speak to a licensed professional about it. Do not approach them with concern for the issue as
this may cause them to push you away.
There are going to be time where a person will come to you with the issues that they are struggling with. If they come to
you, that means they are comfortable enough in their relationship with you to trust you with what is going on in their life.
Do not take this for granted. You may be the only person that they feel they can talk to. If you push them away or ignore
them, it could hurt them even more. If you are busy at the time they come to you, make it clear that you cannot help them
at the current time, but that you would be glad to sit down with them later, preferably that day, once your schedule has
cleared up a little more. Once you are able to speak with them, do your best to be in a private area where no one will be
able to interrupt your conversation. If you are expecting an interruption, such as a brief phone call, inform them that there
is a chance that it will happen so they are not caught off guard. While you are with the person make sure that are fully
listening to what he or she has to say. Be careful not to rush them with what they are telling you. Ask questions that will
help you gain a better understanding of what they are going through and that will help them feel more comfortable in
sharing difficult information. Along with these questions, and when it is necessary, ask questions about personal safety,
such as “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” and “Are you thinking about suicide?.” Please understand that
questions like this WILL NOT cause the person to start to ponder them. If the answer to any of these question is “YES,”
call a mental health professional or take them to the nearest Psychiatric Emergency Department (PES). For Nyack
College, the number for the closest PES is (845) 348-6700. It is located at Nyack Hospital. In the case of an immediate
emergency, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1. As with any injury, or medical situation, please notify an ATC if professional
help is needed and/or a student-athlete is taken to a PES.
Resources
Emergency: 9-1-1
Nyack College Counseling Services: 845-675-4564
Nyack College Health Services: 845-675-4576
Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 741-741
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Suicide Prevention Resource Center: www.sprc.org
support and training focused on suicide prevention
A federally funded program with resource materials to provide
ULifeline: www.ulifeline.org This is an online resource focused on mental health and emotional well-being for both
college students, and campus professionals.
Nyack College Student-Athlete Mental Health Screen
As your immediate health-care professionals at Nyack College, it is our duty to provide the best possible care for your
overall health and well-being. In regards to your mental health, it is important for us to give you help and encouragement
when it is needed. If you come to one of us seeking help, we will stop and listen to what you need to say. We will do this
in a private setting. If you do not want to speak with us about something, or the issue is greater than our training and
education is able to accommodate, we will refer you to a counselor here on campus, or an appropriate mental health care
professional in the Nyack area. When appropriate, we will not share the information discussed with anyone without your
prior authorization. If a situation arises where you are putting yourself or others in danger, we will do everything possible
to ensure that everyone, especially you, does not get hurt. Understand that situations like this may warrant a call to 9-1-1,
or another appropriate emergency medical service. We are here to help, and will do so to the best of our ability.
The questions below are designed to help identify poor mental health and any unhealthy behaviors that may indicate poor
mental health. When appropriate, please explain any answers that you mark “YES”
General Screen
Please circle answers as either YES or NO & explain any YES answers.
1. I have trouble getting to sleep/staying asleep
YES NO
2. I wish I had more energy most days of the week
YES NO
3. I think about things over and over
YES NO
4. I feel anxious and nervous much of the time
YES NO
5. I often feel sad and depressed
YES NO
6. I struggle with being confident
YES NO
7. I don’t feel hopeful about the future
YES NO
8. I have a hard time managing my emotions (frustration, anger, impatience, sadness, etc.)
YES NO
9. I have feelings of hurting myself or others
YES NO
Please explain any answers you marked YES:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Disordered Eating
Please circle answers as either YES or NO & explain any YES answers.
1. Do you make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full?
YES NO
2. Do you worry that you have lost control over how much you eat?
YES NO
3. Have you recently lost more than 15lbs (7kg) in a 3-month period?
YES NO
4. Do you believe yourself to be fat when others say that you are thin?
YES NO
5. Would you say that food dominates your life?
YES NO
Please explain any answers marked YES:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Depression
Indicate how often you have felt the following over the past two weeks. Answers to these questions should be circled as
follows: None or little of the time=0; Some of the time=1; Most of the time=2; All of the time=3. Once you have
answered every question, please total them at the bottom. Over the past two weeks, how often have you:
1. Been feeling low on energy, slowed down?
2. Blamed yourself for things?
3. Had poor appetite?
4. Had difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep?
5. Been feeling hopeless about the future?
6. Been feeling blue?
7. Been feeling no interest in things?
8. Had feelings of worthlessness?
9. Had difficulty concentrating or making decisions?
10. Thought about or wanted to commit suicide?
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Total: ________
Score 0-8: symptoms not consistent with a major depressive episode. Score 9-16: Symptoms consistent with a major depressive episode, a complete evaluation is
recommended. Score 17-30: symptoms strongly consistent with major depressive episode, complete evaluation strongly recommended. Severity level may require
immediate attention.
Anxiety
Indicate how much you have been bothered by the symptom over the course of the last month, including
today. Answers to these questions should be circled as follows: 0 for not at all; 1 for mildly, but it did not bother much; 2
for moderately; 3 for severely. Once you have answered question, please total them at the bottom.
1. Numbness or tingling
2. Feeling hot
3. Wobbliness in your legs
4. Unable to relax
5. Fear of the worst happening
6. Dizzy or lightheaded
7. Heart pounding or racing
8. Unsteady
9. Terrified or afraid
10. Nervous
11. Feeling of choking
12. Hands trembling
13. Shaky/unsteady
14. Fear of losing control
15. Difficulty breathing
16. Fear of dying
17. Scared
18. Indigestion
19. Faint/lightheaded
20. Face flushed
21. Hot/cold sweats
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Total: ________
Score 0-21: low anxiety. Score 21-35: moderate anxiety. Score more than 35: high anxiety. Someone who scores in the moderate to high range should have a follow-up
discussion with an Athletic Trainer or a counselor to determine if treatment is necessary.
Print Name: _____________________________ Sign Name: ______________________________ Date: _____________