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T A K E A W A Y S :
MENTAL HEALTHCHALLENGES ARE VERYCOMMON, EVEN THOUGHWE DON’T OFTEN TALKABOUT THEM. 1 in 5 youth, 1 in 3 youngadults (ages 18-25), and 1 in 5adults experience a mentaldisorder in any given year(NAMI, 2021 & 2020).THE RATE OF MENTAL DISORDERS AMONG SOMEPOPULATIONS IS EVEN HIGHER.Individuals withintellectualdisabilities: the rateis estimated to be 2to 3 times higherthan the overallpopulation (HoggFoundation, 2014).A W A R E N E S SIndividuals whoexperiencedchildhood traumaare 3 times morelikely to experiencemental disorders inadulthood (SAMHSA,2018).AA
COMMON MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES IN SPORTSAND THE GENERAL POPULATION:I. ANXIETYII. DEPRESSIONIII. SUICIDALITYIV. SELF- HARMV. EATING DISORDERS & DISORDERED EATINGVI. ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE ABUSEWhat to look for when determining if someoneis struggling:Risk factors:Risks could be caused within or outside of sport.Awareness of risk factors may help us noticesigns of mental health challenges earlier.C H A L L E N G E SChanges from their baseline in:Moods & emotionsPhysical traits, appearance, & hygieneBehaviorsWords & language patternsBe concerned about changes when: The change occurs over a period of time(mental health professionals often look for2 weeks or more)Noticing more than one or several changesin a personCC
THE BASIC ACTION PLANFOR PROVIDING INITIALSUPPORT IS: ASKLISTENRESPONDT A K E A C T I O NASKAsk open-ended questions in anonjudgmental manner aboutwhat the person isexperiencing and invite, butdon’t force, the person toshare with you.LISTEN Avoid other distractionsduring these importantconversations and be okaywith listening without havingto immediately come up with asolution. RESPONDProvide sensitive andunderstanding responses. Ifthe person needs moresupport than you can provide,utilize local and nationalmental health resources foradditional help.Changes to the action plan ifsuicide is a concern: ASKAsk the question directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?”,“Are you thinking about killingyourself?” LISTEN Even if they say no, pay attentionto other indicators such as theCHANGES discussed above. RESPONDIf you decide the person is NOTconsidering suicide, return to thesupportive action plan, includingproviding local and nationalresources.If you believe the person ISconsidering suicide:Do not leave them alone.Connect the person withappropriate professional help.This may be a psychiatrist,psychologist, counselor, socialworker, religious leader, peersupport specialist, etc.If it is an immediate crisis, call911 (emergency number – theywill come to you, tell them it isa mental health crisis), or 988(the National SuicidePrevention Lifeline).TT
KEEP THE LOCAL AND NATIONALRESOURCES SHARED WITH YOU BY USC-MHS ON YOUR PERSONAL DEVICE SOYOU HAVE IT WITH YOU WHEREVER YOUGO.R E S O U R C E S &N O T E SSHOULD YOU DESIRE ADDITIONALTRAINING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY OR IFYOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR US, PLEASEREACH OUT TOADMIN@MENTALHEALTHANDSPORT.ORG!!