Athletes Connected Program Presents Findings at NCAA Convention
1/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | General, Athletic News
Jan. 16, 2015
The Athletes Connected pilot project, funded by an NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant, is a collaboration between the University of Michigan School of Public Health, U-M Depression Center and U-M Athletic Department. Its goal is to increase awareness of mental health issues, reduce the stigma of help-seeking, and promote positive coping skills among student-athletes who are often reluctant to seek help when it comes to mental health. The program features engaging, personal videos -- "Will" and "Kally" -- and informal, drop-in support groups.
Today's story -- a follow-up report from the NCAA Convention where findings on Athletes Connected were presented -- wraps up a three-part series about the program's highly successful first year.
• Part 1: Athletes Connected Supports Student-Athlete Mental Health
• Part 2: Athletes Connected Making Immediate Impact on U-M Campus
By Steve Kornacki
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Thursday afternoon (Jan. 15), in front of a packed ballroom at the NCAA Convention, it was time to share the results of the reach-out for mental health awareness and solutions at the University of Michigan.
The Athletes Connected program, funded in part by an NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant, was detailed in a 10-minute presentation by former Wolverines student-athletes Will Heininger and Kally Fayhee as well as Daniel Eisenberg, associate professor of Health Management & Policy in the School of Public Health.
After videos telling the stories of Heininger and Fayhee were shown on two big screens and the trio discussed the core of the program -- drop-in support groups monitored by a clinician, team presentations, video testimonials and counseling options -- there was a loud round of applause from those gathered at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center near Washington, D.C.
"People have come up to me from Division I, Division II and Division III schools," said Fayhee, a former U-M swimmer, "and they're not only interested in what we have to say but in implementing the program. Getting that from a range of divisions was spectacular."
Heininger, a football defensive lineman from 2007-11, told the audience that he hoped it could become "a sustainable model" for other universities and colleges.
"It's one that will empower student-athletes to take control," said Heininger, who now works with student-athletes on campus in regard to mental wellness. "When I was struggling (with anxiety and depression), just learning that this was common, after sort of being forced to open up, allowed me to get better.
"I wasn't alone, and this happens to a lot of people. And (I discovered) a large portion of student-athletes take anti-depressant medications.That's why reducing the stigma is so important."
And stigma is seen as the main reason why -- according to a random survey of some 7,000 students at nine schools in 2014 -- 30 percent of the student population utilized mental health services while only 10 percent of student-athletes with depression or anxiety did so.
From left: Kally Fayhee, Will Heininger, Daniel Eisenberg
Finding ways to connect with athletes in need -- hence, the program's name -- is at the core of the Michigan mission.
"What they are doing is great," said Norah Simpson, an instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford. "I was really struck by the personal stories (of Heininger and Fayhee). That's a real honest way to reduce stigma.
"And the other idea I really liked was getting in there on the ground with these student-athletes in small groups to have conversations to open eyes and ears. That is a real great way to start the process, and not just having to rely on when a problem's been identified so a student is referred for services. It's a lowered barrier entry."
Simpson, who also gave a presentation on her school's efforts in creating better mental health awareness, said she saw the value of using Michigan's model, which was formed from a collaborative effort between Michigan's School of Public Health, Depression Center and Athletic Department.
Might Stanford be interested in implementing the Athletes Connected program?
"Absolutely," said Simpson. "I think we can all benefit from the research they've done across institutions. The Michigan program seems lovely. I'm really excited to look at their web site and connect with what they've done or do something complementary at Stanford."
Jennifer Hoffman, an assistant professor in the College of Education at the University of Washington, and Shawn Worthy, a professor in the Human Services Department at Division II Metropolitan State University of Denver, agreed with Simpson on that point after listening to Michigan's presentation.
"I think their presentation was really interesting and pretty important because athletes are more pressured in college because of their schedules and the need for coaches to win," said Worthy, also a clinical psychologist. "They're at a higher risk for mental health problems.
"I do see the potential for my school to use this model, and I think individual schools could tailor it to their system and the needs of their athletes. It would behoove most schools to create a better connection between the mental health world and athletic department."
-- Daniel Eisenberg
Hoffman said, "I can't speak on behalf of (Washington) picking it up, but I can see the value in that program and the potential for growth at other institutions. There are a lot of components that could be used in a small way or a larger way. It's a powerful and important program."
Hoffman said Athletes Connected is "well thought out" and most liked the "peer-to-peer experience," which she said "would be the most powerful thing to reach other student-athletes."
Eisenberg shared the results of survey research that revealed 92 percent of those attending the small support group meetings at Michigan expected to apply the lessons learned or coping skills. And 99 percent of student-athletes found the videos engaging, while 63 percent reported that emotional or mental health issues affected their athletic performance over the previous four weeks -- which Eisenberg saw as the most telling statistic. Forty student-athletes indicated they were setting up appointments with an athletic counselor to address immediate concerns.
"The feedback we've gotten here is extremely positive," said Eisenberg, also a Faculty Associate at the Population Studies Center in the Institute for Social Research. "People seem really excited and want to implement this where they are. They want to know what we're doing next.
"We have an opportunity to in-person tell people about these things and to make it part of the culture."
Eisenberg said representatives of schools and athletic departments can reach out to the Athletes Connected team at their web site, athletesconnected.umich.edu.
"The thing is these are all very smart people," said Fayhee, a swim team captain as a senior in 2012-13, when she finally sought counseling to deal with bulimia. "We were one of six groups to present here today (on mental wellness). They're all doing amazing work, and they're all very considerate."
The group of 12 presenters had dinner Wednesday night at a restaurant near the Potomac River and shared their purpose through informal conversation.
"It was so exciting to hear about all the other research initiatives but also ways to think about improving athlete mental health and well-being," said Simpson. "It's a great place to come together and exchange email addresses and ideas."
School representatives bonding to address the mental health needs of student-athletes is occurring.
"When we can all help reduce the stigma," said Heininger. "That's when we will see fewer tragedies and a lot healthier and happier people, a better world."
