Experiences of Current National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Collegiate Student-Athletes With Mental Health Resources.

contextCollegiate student-athletes (SAs) experience psychological stressors due to rigid schedules, team conflict, and injury. These factors can result in symptoms of mental health conditions, decreased daily functioning, and suicidality.

objectiveTo explore National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I SAs' experiences with mental health and access to and experiences with mental health resources at their university.

designConsensual qualitative research study.

settingOne-on-one interviews. PATIENTS OR OTHER

participantsTwenty-three Division I SAs (18 women, 5 men; mean age = 20 ± 2 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Participants completed a semistructured interview that focused on their experiences with mental health. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim via Zoom. Credibility and trustworthiness were established via member checking, triangulation, and peer discussion among a 3-person coding team.

resultsTwo domains, increased expectations and resources and management, were identified. The participants shared how they balanced life as a college student, academic stressors, performance expectations, and a sport-first mindset they perceived from coaches and support staff. They discussed their experience with the internal support network of coaches, the athletic department, and sport psychology. Participants remarked on their external support network, which included their family, friends, and psychological services. The resources available at their institutions and their accessibility were perceived both positively and negatively. Some collegiate SAs described resources as helpful, whereas others portrayed a lack of timeliness for appointments, lack of advertisement, incomprehension by counselors of athlete demands, and no sport-specific counseling as barriers.

conclusionsCollegiate SAs expressed mental health concerns due to stress and the demands of sport participation. Self-regulated coping strategies and support networks continue to be powerful and helpful resources for mental health, with or without a diagnosed condition. Barriers to mental health service use were a lack of sport specificity and lack of access. Institutions need to focus on creating athlete-centered mental health resources with annual advertisements to increase use.