Common Mental Health Concerns in Athletes

Course overview

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 1 in 5 individuals will experience a mental health condition this year, and 1 in 20 live daily with a serious mental health illness. Although individuals may display the symptoms of mental illness in slightly different ways, it is necessary for healthcare providers to be knowledgeable about several common signs and symptoms. This is certainly the case for physical therapists, coaches, and athletic trainers who may be on the front lines of their athletes’ physical and mental wellbeing. As such, being aware of, recognizing, and knowing when to refer for psychological concerns is paramount in the job of such professionals. The purpose of today’s session is to arm you, the physical health care professional, with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognize when someone might be experiencing a mental health condition and provide them with the proper support. This course will empower you to recognize, mediate, and refer individuals for psychological concerns.