In March, the NFL announced that all teams in the league are required to have a full-time mental health professional on staff. As a certified Sport Social Worker, this brought joy to my heart, and I must commend the valiant effort of the NFL.
There is a science that exists to help athletes with their performance in the field of play, but as much as I value sports psychology, sport social work is a discipline that also needs to be present in every clubhouse, dugout, sideline and locker room. It provides a holistic approach to supporting athletes which helps them be present in the game, and in their life away from the field.
We have seen too many athletes succumb to mental health struggles, whether through suicide attempts, substance abuse or eating disorders. It is now time that we act to ensure our young athletes can win on and off the field.
According to findings from the American Academy of Pediatrics, 70% of young people quit playing sports by age 13 because the professionalization of youth sports, which often leads to burnout and overuse injuries, makes it more difficult to simply have fun. Research has also identified that youth become disengaged in sports due to interpersonal factors that impact their mental health. These can include the actions of parents and spectators, as well as harmful coaching practices.
Simply put, too many young athletes lose interest in sports, and for those that continue to play, the pressure caused by external factors can become unbearable.
We can no longer deny the need for adequate mental health support for our youth athletes. The CDC recently reported that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already significant mental health crisis among young people. The pandemic brought along additional family stress and social isolation during the formidable development periods of their their lives, causing them to endure extensive periods of time without positive mental health practices.
Many of us were not aware of the long-term damage that would be caused by pandemic-related stress. Neither did we know that the lack of socialization and other contributing factors would have long-term impacts on the mental health of young people. As the adage states, “When you know better, you do better.”
A colleague from Ohio explains the role of the sport social worker as the person who closes the loop on integrated care for athletes. Sport social workers believe that if we can develop and support the athlete holistically, everyone wins.
I would like youth coaches and high school athletic departments to consider inviting sport social workers to join their support teams for athletes. The NFL has mandated mental health clinicians to be part of their ecosystem, and I hope they have sport social workers on their list of qualified individuals.
Ultimately, it is important that we follow the NFL’s lead and provide access to mental health literacy and support for our young athletes. It is one of the greatest forms of compassion we can provide, showing that we care about their wellbeing on and off the field, and that we want to help them win the most important game ever: the game of life.
Dr. Justin C. Singleton LMSW, LSSW, is a certified sport social worker, host of the sport social work podcast …And Then We Win! and a social work professor at Middle Tennessee State University.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The support person all young athletes need | Opinion
