Do you have a Mental Health EAP? Do you have a athletic injury EAP?



Dr. Hector Lopez of SMASA shares some of the tips for building a mental health EAP for Athletic Trainers









Have you planned what to do in the event of a suicide threat or attempt?



The secondary setting is harder because we are dealing with minors



A good understanding of mental health



Video from YouTube - For NCAA student Athletes’ Mental health: a more educated approach



NCAA Sports Science Institute mental health awareness



According to the WHO it is a state of wellbeing in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities.



Mental illness refers to diagnosable mental disorders and health conditions



There is a stigma that it is a weakness



Myths about Mental health:



Children do not get mental health issues - 75% begin before age 24Personality weakness or character flaws cause themI can not do anything for a person with mental health problems



Examples:



AnxietyEating disordersMajor depressionPTSDAdjustment disorderSocial anxietyBipolar disorderSubstance abuseCo-existing learning disabilitiesADHDAutism spectrumChronic Medical illnessBullyingHazingRelationship AbuseSexual AssaultGender DysphoriaUnexpected PregnancyGamblingUndiagnosed medical issueStressors affecting athletesTeam culturePressure to performBalancing demands



Identifiers for a mental health EAP



ID based on performance



Injury causes isolation or forced retirement



Burnout due to early specialization



Poor performance



“I can’t show weakness”



Dealing with injured athletes:



Listen



What does the injury mean to the athlete?



What is your team and AT Clinic culture?



Educate about the diagnosis



Correct any misinformation



Provide a road map for recovery



“Dr. google is a big problem in my world”



An emotional response to an injury is normal



Sadness



Isolation



Irritation



Lack of motivation



Anger



Frustration



Changes in appetite



Sleep disturbance



Disengagement



Response to injury



Stress can lead to increased injury, muscle tension, poor concentration, and performance



Can trigger depression



Problematic emotional responses



Persistent symptoms



Worsening symptoms



Excessive symptoms



Summary of possible symptoms



Barriers to care:



Stigma



Poor understanding



Difficulty willing to express



Lack of time



Denial



Fear



Worried about it affecting play



Not accessible



Facilitators:



Increased awarenessSocial supportEncouragement from othersAccessibilityA positive relationship with staffConfidentialityTimeIntegration into athlete lifePositive past experiencesEase of expressing emotion



Treating injured Athletes



Rapport is keySupportive cultureRespect privacyAcknowledge and understand their identity may be tied to athleticsMay be the first injury for themBe on alert for red flags



Mental Health EAP TIPS



Interview the athletes away from other athletes or with another staff member if possible



Ask open-ended questions



If the concern is self-harm be blunt



Actively listen and allow them to talk without interruption



KNOW YOUR ATHLETE



RED FLAGS



Any talk of self-harm or suicide



Talking about hopelessness and empty



Making a plan for killing themselves



Talking about great guilt or shame.



Suicide hotline



www.nimh.nih.gov/sucideprevention



5 steps graphic



Identifty an Emergency



maintain safety for yourself and othersCall for helpTalk in a quiet place where you can defuse the situationDo not leave the student alone but do not place yourself in dangerDevelop policy and procedure and practice them



KOWN YOUR LIMITS



Your responsibility is to recognize and refer



Prevention



PPEAre you stressedDo you want to weigh more or lessOpen-ended questions - are you sad, do you feel hopeless, do you feel safeWhat are the protocols at your institutionEmergency scenariosKeep names and numbers accessibleWhat about after hours?