As attendees learned the latest in athletic training professional development, NATA hosted two national media briefings during the 76th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo June 24-27 in Orlando, showcasing the expertise of members in the health care landscape.
The Spring/Summer Sports Medicine Legal Digest features a Q&A with NATA Mental Health America liaison Timothy Neal, LLMSW, ATC, CCISM, about mental health, substance abuse and the AT’s responsibility. The following is a continuation of this Q&A.
Editor’s note: In April 2016, NATA Now ran a column by Timothy Neal, LLMSW, ATC, CCISM, titled “Burnout in Athletes,” kicking off a series of mental health-related columns that were posted throughout May in honor of Mental Health Month. To this day, it remains the most visited post on NATA Now and is one of the top 25 pages viewed on www.nata.org.
By Erik R. Brown, DHSc, LAT, ATC, and Matthew Powless, PhD, HSPP
To assist NATA members with critical incidents, the creation of the ATs Care Program was approved by the NATA Board of Directors in 2015.
The next NATA Timely Topics Series is at 11 a.m. CDT Oct. 12. This month’s series, which is hosted by NATA President Kathy Dieringer, EdD, LAT, ATC, includes one event: “The AT and Mental Health, Fueled by Gatorade Performance Partner” presented by Bhrett McCabe, PhD. The event is free for NATA members and $45 for nonmembers.
McCabe will cover mental health tips for athletic trainers as well as their athletes.
The 2021 NATA Virtual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo is far from over. The on-demand educational programming is available to attendees through Sept. 30, providing an extended time for athletic trainers to learn and earn CEUs.
Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being. All people, including athletic trainers, face challenges in life that can impact their mental health, especially during a pandemic; and prevention is an effective way to reduce the burden of mental health conditions.
By Lovie Tabron MS, LAT, ATC, CISM, ATs Care Commission Chair
Athletic trainers impact health care through action before, during and after an injury. What about when the action needed is a silent yet present response? ATs must take action to prevent suicide.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about stress and uncertainty in personal and professional lives. Prior to the pandemic, when athletic trainers were stressed and needing someone to talk to, ATs Care was there.