Mental Health Resources for Student Athletes at Secondary Schools

Abstract

Mental health issues have been notably rising among American teenagers in recent years. Student athletes are particularly vulnerable because of unique stressors including time constraints, physical injuries, and balance between academics and athletics. Although much research exists at the collegiate level, there are no studies examining the mental health policies of secondary schools for student athletes. The goal of this study was to analyze the best practices by secondary schools in South Florida to understand and support their student athletes’ mental health. The method chosen was a mixed method, descriptive study of a quantitative survey sent to athletic directors and a qualitative content analysis of school athletic handbooks. The results show that there is some variability in the mental health resources available to support student athletes in secondary schools. However, few schools have taken the necessary steps to implement the recommended best practices to support the mental health of their student athletes. Without these policies in place, student athletes may not have their mental health concerns properly addressed.