High School Coaches Study Athlete Mental Health
MADISON- A well-rounded athlete includes the physical skills that stand out among their peers, intelligence level to absorb the teachings of their coach or instructor and good mental health. Recognizing the aspects of mental health in athletes, particularly depression, is as important to success as any physical skills workout.
Addressing the realities of physical and psychological wellness, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has developed “Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention,” a free online education course for coaches available on the NFHS Learning Center at www.NFHSLearn.com.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Central Board of Control recently approved requiring all AHSAA coaches to complete the NFHS Mental Health course as part of coaches’ certification. The course has been lauded by those who have already completed the course as an excellent tool for coaches to recognize the signs of depression.
“Anytime we as coaches can do anything to educate ourselves to help our student-athletes it is a good thing,” said Kelvis White, new head football coach at Bob Jones. “Our players seem to confide in us more than their teachers. We’re with them in a more less than formal situations and many times the players will let us in a little deeper into their personal lives.”
Laron White, older brother to Kelvis White and head football coach at Sparkman, said, “Yes, I think this is something the AHSAA studied and researched that can only help move us in a better place in helping our student-athletes.”
Stress, anxiety and depression create challenges for many individuals, including interscholastic student-athletes, and severe conditions can lead to suicide. The new NFHS course provides answers to numerous questions that students, as well as, peers or any guardian responsible for the care and well-being of a student, may face in these situations. Severe mental conditions can lead to the worst outcomes, such as suicide.
Wade Waldrop, the longtime head football coach at James Clemens, thinks the course can be very beneficial and any education which can assist coaches to provide better care for their players is a positive step. He added, “Experience is the most valuable asset a coach can have in dealing with the wide range of situations that young people go through. This course will certainly benefit all coaches, especially the young coaches who are just getting starting in our profession.”
The NFHS course highlights causes, strategies and provides helpful resources. The seven-section course outline includes- a wellness framework, student mental health, stress and anxiety, depression and suicide prevention. The course goes beyond highlighting the causes of mental health problems- it includes recovery methods thanks to its helpful resources.
Alvin Briggs, AHSAA Associate Executive Director, said the new course compliments the other coaching courses that are required by any coach among the AHSAA. He said, “Our coaches have taken several great courses and this one is a one-time professional development course that can make a difference in so many lives. With the current national pandemic, this course is needed now more than ever as coaches work to assist those student-athletes with mental health issues.”
“Creating awareness and education the interscholastic community about important health and safety topics continues to be a priority for the NFHS Learning Center,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services. “The hope is that this course and others will create a better experience for the growing number of participants within interscholastic programs.”
