The partnership between the athletics department and NCSSS emphasizes the importance of mental health to our student-athletes and their families. While we have always had a tremendous sports medicine staff taking care of our athletes, post-COVID, the student-athletes are feeling more and more comfortable speaking up about their mental health. By having NCSSS clinical social work students physically present in our office weekly, it is sparking conversation and providing another resource for our student-athletes and athletic department staff.
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Kat Greenhut, Junior Women’s Basketball, SAAC Co-President"It has meant everything to see the athletic department make changes to incorporate events, resources, and more to promote the betterment of their student-athletes because this is such a huge conversation that needs to be had more everyday. It is extremely evident and from these changes that they truly care about us as individuals and want to see us thrive as human beings off the court and field, and it brings a sense of comfort to us all to know that we have an administration that is willing to do this for us."
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While this program is in its infancy, the clinical students have helped the department to solidify their relationships and connections with various other on-campus resources highlighted by working with the counseling center to educate our Head Coaches on burnout and our Graduate Assistant coaches on setting boundaries. This programming would not have happened without the work of Julia Nessman and she is continuing to develop other opportunities this spring to support our student-athletes such as yoga sessions as well.
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Riley Martin, Junior Women’s Lacrosse, SAAC Co-President"Having social work students incorporated into the department is a huge step in the right direction for CUA athletics. They provide a much-needed outlet and resource for student-athletes. It’s comforting and relieving to know that we have resources available who both understand the challenges of being a student-athlete and who can provide the most proper care."
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Many of our student-athletes and coaches recognize the importance of mental health, however just as many are learning about how it affects our department. Two student-athelte-led groups have been established in the athletic department to work on both de-stigmatizing the conversations around and educating our department about mental health.