Elmira College Athletics

According to the NCAA's Mental Health Best Practices handbook, "Mental health is an important and often overlooked dimension of overall student-athlete health and optimal functioning. Mental health exists on a continuum, with resilience and thriving on one end of the spectrum and mental health disorders that disrupt a student-athlete’s functioning and performance at the other. Approximately one in five adults experiences mental illness in a given year, and this rate tends to be highest among young adults, many of whom are college students. Prevalence estimates of mental illness among college athletes are relatively similar to their non-athlete peers. Even in the absence of a clinically diagnosable mental health disorder, student-athletes may have impaired overall well-being as a result of sub-clinical symptoms of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and insomnia or the misuse of substances such as alcohol or prescription drugs."

In order to help those suffering and to spread awareness regarding the importance of mental heath, we've compiled resources from the NCAA and Elmira College's Counseling Department, ranging from educational materials to contact information for those seeking help.

The NCAA Sport Science Institute is a leader in providing health and safety resources to college athletes, coaches, athletics administrators and campus partners. Together with leading medical organizations, behavioral health centers and content matter experts, the SSI provides educational resources for member schools to promote and support the health and well-being of student-athletes.

For materials and resources related to the mental health and wellness of college athletes provided by the SSI, click here. Examples of the resources found in the SSI's Mental Health Educational Resource center include the following mental health fact sheets and student-athlete mental health perspectives video:

 

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Elmira College Office of Counseling Services

• The counseling process is driven by student identified needs and goals.
• The counseling process is action oriented and task driven; the intent of the process in not to merely promote catharsis but is intended to add to the student's knowledge base, skill set, and ability to overcome whatever obstacles they are facing.
• The emphasis in the work is on proactive development of tools and problem identification so as to intervene and eradicate challenges or issues before they impede student performance.
• Ultimately the process is intended to literally teach students how to be their own therapist, and as such foster independence for life through knowledge acquisition and skill building.

• Referral and advocacy services.
• Group psychoeducation.
• Assessment and evaluation services with appropriate follow up referrals.
• Trainings to various departments and student groups on campus.
• External trainings to community partners and the general public.