Chico State Athletics

Welcome to the Wildcat Athletics Mental Wellness page. As a part of the department-wide "Scratch the Stigma" campaign, this page provides resources for all who are seeking mental health and wellness. By connecting students with a variety of on- and off-campus resources, and providing relevant programming, we hope to help put an end to the stigma surrounding mental health and speak out in order to best take care of ourselves. THE STORY BEHIND THE "SCRATCH THE STIGMA" CAMPAIGN.

The NCAA Sports Science Institute states that mental health is an important and often overlooked dimension of overall student-athlete health and optimal functioning. Approximately one in five adults experiences mental illness in a given year, and this rate tends to be highest among young adults, many of whom are college students. College athletes are faced with similar developmental challenges as their non-athlete peers and additionally must respond to the challenges and opportunities of collegiate sport. The sport environment has both risk and protective factors for mental health disorders. Additionally, genetic predispositions and environmental influences outside of the sport environment may impact mental health.Mental and physical health are inextricably linked. For example, there is evidence suggesting an elevated risk of injury among athletes who experience anxiety or depression, who abuse alcohol or who have an eating disorder. Furthermore, the athlete's psychological response to injury has the potential to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities to depression or anxiety, substance abuse or disordered eating behaviors. Insomnia and sleep disorders can be an indicator or risk factor for mental health challenges, and can compromise academic and athletic performance through direct or indirect pathways.

Mental health is a key component of student-athlete wellness, and the athletics department can play a pivotal role in providing an environment that supports wellness while also providing resources so that student-athletes can obtain referrals to mental health services if needed. The sport environment is an important venue for establishing mental health promotion practices, destigmatizing mental health challenges, normalizing care seeking, facilitating early identification of mental health disorders and insuring that all student athletes in need receive care. It is also an important venue to learn about the role that mental well-being plays in total health and the ability to thrive, both on and off the court.

Student-athlete mental well-being can be best served via a collaborative integration of campus and community resources, including athletics, campus health, counseling services, disability services, and local organizations. Highlighting resources that are available and promoting strong relationships within these areas are needed to ensure that coaches and those around students on a daily basis are informed and able to respond effectively.


 

NCAA Resources

NCAA Sport Science Institute Mind Body Sport Handbook 

NCAA Sport Science Institute Anxiety Fact Sheet (PDF)

NCAA Sport Science Institute Depression Fact Sheet (PDF)

NCAA Sport Science Institute Eating disorder Fact Sheet (PDF)

NCAA Sport Science Institute Suicide Fact Sheet (PDF)

NCAA Sport Science Institute Mental Health Home Page

CCAA Resources

Mental Health Support for students and athletes during COVID-19 and beyond
- At the bottom of this website, choose "Subscription For One" and create a login, using your school email and create a password unique to you, to gain your free, lifetime access to the modules.

Wellcat Counseling Center

U Matter: Campus mental health outreach 

Zen den, self care resources

Campus Assessment Response and Education (CARE) Team

Safe Place: support for survivors of sexual assault and partner violence

Title XI Preventing Sex Discrimination

Campus Alcohol & Drug Education Center (CADEC)

CSU Campus Red folder 

Thanks to Enterprise for sponsoring Scratch The Stigma!