Mental Health
Approximately 1 in every 4-5 youths in America meets the criteria for a mental health disorder. The rate of mental illness was more than twice as high for those 18-25 as in those aged 50 years and older.
Approaching patients with concerns regarding mental well-being can be an uncomfortable experience. As athletic trainers, we may play a unique insider role in the life of the patient. ATs have the ability to identify “red flags” as well as provide the opportunity to be an advocate for the welfare of the individual.
NATA Position Statements
NATA Consensus Statements
- Developing a Plan to Recognize and Refer Student Athletes with Psychological Concerns at the Collegiate Level, 2013 (pdf)
- Developing a Plan to Recognize and Refer Student Athletes with Psychological Concerns at the Secondary School Level, 2015 (pdf)
Additional Position/Consensus Statements
- ACSM Position Stand: The Female Athlete Triad, 2007 (pdf)
- AOSSM Consensus Statement: Psychological Issues Related to Injury in Athletes and the Team Physician 2016 (pdf)
- AOSSM Consensus Statement: Female Athlete Issues for the Team Physician (pdf)
- AMSSM Position Statement: ADHD and the Athlete, 2011
- BJSM: 2014 Female Athlete Triad Coalition Consensus Statement
Other Resources
- New guidelines established for young athletes who face mental health issues
- NCAA: Mental Health
- NCAA: Treatment of the Female Athlete Triad
- NCAA: Managing Mental Health (pdf)
- ESPN: Taking Notice of the Hidden Injury
- Tim Neal, MS, ATC: Before Stage 4 Planning: Recognizing and Referring Athletes with Mental Health Conditions
- Tim Neal, MS, ATC: Recommendations in Developing a Plan to Recognize and Refer Athletes with Psychological Concerns at the Secondary School Level (pdf)
- Tim Neal, MS, ATC: Recommendations for Developing a Plan to Recognize and Refer Student Athletes with Psychological Concerns at the Collegiate Level (pdf)
- NCAA: Introduction to Mind, Body and Sport
- FATC: Female Athlete Triad
- ACSM: Flyer on Female Athlete Triad (pdf)
- AMSSM 2014 Annual Meeting Presentation on Female Athlete Triad Coalition Consensus Statement (pdf)
- APA: ADHD Information Website
- NCAA Guidelines Regarding ADHD Stimulant Exception (pdf)
- NIH: Recommendations for Reporting of Suicide