(revised August 1, 2023)
PERSONNEL
All personnel involved in the well-being of student-athletes shall take part in implementing the Mental Health Management Plan.
This includes:
- Coaches
- Athletics Trainers (AT)
- Team Physicians
- Athletic Administrators
- University Counseling Center Licensed Providers (UCC)
- Faculty-Athletic Representatives
Point Persons for assisting with mental health issues and referrals:
Dr. Chris Carlton (Licensed Psychologist, University Counseling Center)
Miranda Fisher (Athletic Trainer, Asst. Director of Sports Medicine)
The Point Persons will be resources for all Athletics Department Personnel when referring athletes for mental health concerns.
ROUTINE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING
Pre-Participation Exam Mental Health Screening
The screening will be conducted using an online screening instrument through the Center for Collegiate Mental Health with items assessing multiple areas including: depression and anxiety symptoms, suicidal ideation/attempts, self-harm, learning and attention issues, substance use, concerns about adjustment, disordered eating and sleep problems.
The licensed athletic trainers administering this instrument are not trained and/or are not qualified to diagnose mental health disorders. The screening instrument only screens for elevated symptoms that may indicate a student-athlete is at risk for a mental health issue and warrant a referral to a mental health provider. The screening instrument provides a report after submission that will allow for the athletic trainers to assist with identifying student-athletes for follow-up and/or referral.
Routine Mental Health Screening
All Personnel will share in monitoring the mental health of the student-athletes through general observation during normal interactions.
Athletic trainers may conduct follow-up screenings for any of the above mental health concerns assessed during the initial mental health screening, if SA does not accept a referral to a mental health provider. The frequency and timing of these follow-up evaluations will be determined by the athletic trainer and Point Persons, on a case-by-case basis.
Mental health issues can fluctuate over time of their own accord or in response to a negative life event. As a result, SAs may be screened (by the ATs or UCC faculty) at any time during the academic year, using appropriate screening inventories.
Results of a mental health screening indicating student-athletes at-risk for mental health issues should follow the mental health referral protocol.
MENTAL HEALTH REFERRAL GENERAL OVERVIEW:
Level 1 Referral: Prevention
1. Symptoms may not be causing a significant problem; however, referral may be considered since follow-through may improve SA’s overall wellness
2. Purpose of referral is to prevent continuation, or worsening, of symptoms; the SA need not be struggling currently to benefit from mental health assistance
SOME EXAMPLES:
- athletic performance issues
- stress/time-management issues
- transition difficulties (i.e. homesickness, adjusting to demands)
- family/interpersonal issues
Level 2 Referral: Mental Health Distress
-
Referral is made in response to observed and/or reported behavioral/emotional concerns that are interfering with the SA’s daily activities
- Purpose of referral is to help connect the SA with appropriate professional services for evaluation and potential treatment
SOME EXAMPLES:
| + Changes in eating or sleeping habits |
+ Significant weight loss or gain |
| + Drug or alcohol misuse |
+ Withdrawal from social interactions |
| + Loss of/sudden changes in emotion |
+ Excessive fear/worry/anxiety |
| + Unexplained wounds; signs of self-harm |
+ Problems with focus and/or memory |
| + Persistent self-criticism |
+ Increased irritability; anger outbursts |
| + Depressed mood and/or mood swings |
+ Frequent complaints of fatigue, illness, or being injured that prevent participation |
Level 3 Referral: Emergency
- Referral is made immediately in response to behavioral/emotional concerns that indicate potential for imminent harm to self or others
- Purpose of referral is to increase SA’s safety (i.e. directly connected to Counseling Center [UCC] or On-Call Counselor [OCC], transported to the hospital)
- SOME EXAMPLES:
- Current suicidal/homicidal ideation (contact UCC/OCC, SU Police)
- Sexual assault (contact UCC/OCC; additional at SA’s request)
- Highly agitated or threatening behavior, acute psychosis, delusions, hallucinations, paranoia (contact UCC/OCC, SU Police)
- Acute delirium or confused state (contact UCC/OCC, SU Police)
- Acute intoxication or drug overdose (contact SU Police/9-1-1)
NON-EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH REFERRAL PROTOCOL (Level 1 & Level 2):
1. Once a potential mental health concern has been identified (via observation, report, and/or screening), a person with a positive, trusting relationship with the SA initiates a conversation with them. Always feel free to consult prior to, during, and/or after the interaction (preferably with an AT and/or UCC).
2. In a non-threatening manner, ask if the SA would mind speaking with you in private (i.e. somewhere the SA feels comfortable and does not feel threatened or embarrassed).
3. Share what you have observed with the SA (i.e. “I’ve noticed _________, and I’m concerned”). Then, listen without judgement. Feel free to ask occasional clarifying questions (neutral and/or factual), but generally focus on listening and striving to understand.
4. Indicate there are people on campus who are experts in helping students with such difficulties (they’ve helped SAs in the past) - naming a specific provider can be helpful in some situations.
5. Explain the referral process and offer to assist in connecting the SA to the UCC (i.e. calling from your office).
6. If the athlete is hesitant to initially accept the referral (which is not uncommon), provide contact information for both the UCC and the AT.
7. Regardless of whether the referral is accepted, indicate to the SA your desire to check-in periodically (with their permission), and be prepared to re-offer the referral. Consider asking what might be causing the hesitation (i.e. “What do you think makes you hesitant?” not “Why aren’t you going?”).
8. Continue to monitor the SA’s behavior, mood and be supportive. Note: the SA cannot be required to accept a mental health referral unless it is an emergency or causing medical self-harm.
9. The AT working with the SA should document the concern and/or referral in the SA’s medical file.
10. When in an off-campus (team travel) situation, Department of Athletics Personnel are encouraged to contact the UCC or OCC for desired consultation.
MENTAL HEALTH REFERRAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
SU Counseling Center (UCC):
717-477-1481
Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm (Monday-Friday)
Location: Naugle Hall, bottom floor, street side (same entrance as Etter Health Center)
SU Police:
717-477-1444
SU On-Call Counselor (OCC): Contact SU Police to request the On-Call Counselor
SU PAGE Center: Miller Hoffman: 717-477-1291 (Monday-Friday: 9:00am-4:00pm)
Advocacy Line:
717-207-9095 (evenings, nights, weekends)
EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH REFERRAL PROTOCOL
1. Immediately contact the UCC or OCC (depending upon day/time) for consultation and assistance. The mental health provider will assess the SA’s needs (i.e. hospital, counseling appointment, other).
2. Off-Campus (team travel) Emergency: call 9-1-1 or take the SA to the nearest hospital. If unsure, refer to #1.
3. Do not leave the SA unattended unless you have been instructed to do so by a mental health provider.
4. When this process is completed, inform the appropriate Athletic Trainer.
5. The Department of Athletics Personnel (i.e. Coach) may choose to consult with the AT and/or OCC to determine (if and) who will contact the student-athlete’s emergency contact, as provided on the Emergency Contact form, if deemed necessary (i.e. imminent danger, admission to the hospital) or if requested by the SA.
6. The AT working with the athlete will document the emergency referral in the SA’s medical file, will inform the team physician and will inform the Point Persons about the referral.
7. Post-Emergency: Coach, Athletic Trainer and Point Persons will discuss the plan for post-emergency support of the SA. Additionally, this group will review and assess procedures (preventative and emergency) followed in this situation.
SPECIFIC MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES PROTOCOL
Some mental health concerns pose a serious threat to the individual or others. Therefore, detailed protocols are outlined below for the following mental health concerns regarding referral and management. In each situation, the Team Physician will decide the readiness of the individual to participate in athletic activity, in consultation with the mental health provider and Athletic Trainer.
Eating Disorder Protocol
Referral: Follow Non-Emergency Mental Health Referral Protocol
Management: Ongoing involvement of a mental health professional and medical professional
Acute Psychosis Protocol
Referral: Follow Emergency Referral Protocol
Management: Subject to possible hospital admission and subsequent discharge plan (likely to include follow-up with appropriate mental health provider[s])
Drug Overdose Protocol
Referral: Follow Emergency Referral Protocol
Management: Subject to possible hospital admission and subsequent discharge plan (likely to include follow-up with appropriate mental health provider[s])
Sexual Assault Protocol
Referral: Follow Emergency Referral Protocol. Follow University protocol and PA laws for mandatory reporting of sexual offenses
Management: Potential ongoing involvement of a mental health and/or medical professional, in consultation with the SA
**The Athletics Department Mental Health Management Plan will be reviewed in its entirety on at least a yearly basis by the Athletics Mental Health & Wellness Committee. This revised version was posted August 1, 2023.**
RELATED POLICIES
Mental Health Emergency Contact Policy
In the event of a mental health emergency (Level 3) involving imminent danger to self/others and subsequent hospitalization, the emergency contact of the student-athlete, as identified in the Emergency Contact form (Appendix A), will be contacted and informed of the emergency referral of the student-athlete.
Mental Health Counseling/Care Release of Information Policy
Student-athletes maintain the same rights to confidentiality afforded to students as it pertains to mental health care. Except for those situations provided by law, a student-athlete must sign a Release of Information form specifying a person/office in order to facilitate communication pertaining to mental health information as noted on the form. Typically, a Release of Information form is available through the mental health provider’s office.
APPENDIX A
Mental Health Emergency Contact Policy Form
A mental health emergency is any emergency in which the student-athlete experiences or displays:
- Highly agitated or threatening behavior
- Acute psychosis or paranoia
- Acute delirium/confused state
- Drug overdose
- Suicide attempt
Mental Health Emergency Contact Policy Form
A mental health emergency is any emergency in which the student-athlete experiences or displays:
- Highly agitated or threatening behavior
- Acute psychosis or paranoia
- Acute delirium/confused state
- Drug overdose
- Suicide attempt
I, _____________________________________, a student-athlete participating in NCAA intercollegiate athletics at Shippensburg University, give consent for a member of the Department of Athletics and/or Sports Medicine to contact and communicate with the emergency contact identified and listed below regarding my emergency. (please check one)
- In any mental health emergency as defined above
- Only in mental health emergencies that involve imminent danger to self/others and subsequent hospitalization
Name: ______________________________________________
Relationship: _________________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________
Secondary Phone Number: _______________________________
