ASTON, Pa. – This past Monday, the Neumann University Athletics and Recreation Department was afforded a valuable opportunity to come together and receive Mental Health First Aid Training. This training was provided by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and the NCAA's Division III.
 
Student-athletes face intense pressure, and many coaches feel unprepared to support their mental well-being. A recent NCAA Coach Well-Being Study found that more than 80% of coaches now spend more time discussing mental health with student-athletes than they did pre-pandemic and identified supporting student-athlete mental health as the top issue facing their teams.
 
To support this need, NCAA Division III partnered with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to offer Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for Higher Education training for Division III head coaches and athletic trainers. MHFA is an early intervention and prevention program that teaches adults how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge before it becomes a crisis.
 
Neumann University's Director of Athletics and Recreations, John Krimmel, had this to say about the experience. "I want to sincerely thank the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and NCAA Division III for providing the opportunity for our coaches and staff to participate in this important training opportunity.  Specifically, I want to thank our facilitators Rochele Burnette and Rodney Longhofer who campus to campus for the training.  Rochele and Rodney provided dynamic and impactful information, and helpful best practices.  It is vital for our coaches, staff, and administration to have the proper training in order to support the mental health needs of our student-athletes and each other.   Supporting mental wellbeing is a priority of our department and will continue to be at the forefront of what we do while ensuring the best possible student-athlete experience.  Our investment in mental health will continue to ensure our student-athletes thrive here at Neumann University." 
 
The Knights' Director of Sports Medicine for the Athletic Department, Julia Wayock, typically is among those who are on the front lines of the athletes' physical maladies. She will now have that same opportunity in regard to mental health. "Becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid allows me to better support the whole student-athlete—not just their physical health, but their mental well-being—so they can thrive both in sport and in life."
 
Gina McLaughlin, Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance, Senior Woman Administrator and Head Women's Ice Hockey coach says, "The Mental Health First Aid training provided us as coaches and staff the confidence to respond with care, compassion, and leadership when student-athletes need mental health support."
 
Scott Grimes, Neumann Head Baseball Coach: "The MHFA team was great, very informative, extremely well prepared, and very engaging.  This course absolutely helped me, and expanded my knowledge of mental health, also opened my eyes to a lot of new ways to help any individuals overcome mental health illnesses.  Thankful for the opportunity to participate and grow as a person / coach."
 
 
 
Links
https://mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/our-work/mental-health-first-aid/