Inter-association recommendations for developing a plan to recognize and refer student-athletes with psychological concerns at the collegiate level: an executive summary of a consensus statement.

摘要

PURPOSE The Ml range of mental health concerns found in the general student population can also be seen in student-athletes attending a university or college. The National Athletic Trainers' Association formed a work group for the purpose of establishing recommendations on developing a plan for the recognition and referral of collegiate student-athletes with psychological concerns. INTRODUCTION The growing prevalence in the types, severity, and percentage of mental illnesses in young adults ages 18 to 25 years, the age group of college students and student-athletes, is being recognized. Given the National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athlete participation rates2 of more than 450 000 in 2011-2012, the probability of encountering 1 or more student-athletes with psychological concerns within an athletic department is a certainty. Because providing direct psychological care to the student-athlete is outside the scope of practice for the certified athletic trainer (AT), we offer recommendations to assist the AT, in collaboration with the athletic department and institutional administration, in developing a plan to address psychological concerns in student-athletes. BACKGROUND Approximately 1 in every 4 to 5 youths in America meets the criteria for a mental health disorder and experiences severe impairment across a lifetime.3 In 2012, the U.S. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration reported that 45.9 million American adults aged 18 years or older (20% of the survey population) experienced a mental illness in 2010. The rate of mental illness was more than twice as high for those in the 18- to 25-year-old range (29.9%) than in those aged 50 years and older (14.3%).