LSAClassOf2000

January 29th, 2014 at 8:25 AM ^

"Though more than 450,000 students competed in college sports in 2011-12, no hard data are being collected on how many athletes are coping with psychological concerns."

I missed this before. That detail above, in my opinion, is terrible and suggests that the prevailing culture in college athletics is to not look out for the whole person, although programs like Michigan do buck the trend some by offering these services. You would think that, when a coach says something about trying to not only develop athletes but people, they would think of the whole person. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130561

Prince Lover

January 29th, 2014 at 11:06 AM ^

Do most schools offer services but athletes just don't use the resources offered? I can't imagine an athlete asking for help and there not being anywhere to go. My guess would be athletes are embarrassed about being depressed and don't seek the help. I have no info to back this up, I'm just throwing that out there.

Joined: 07/01/2013

MGoPoints: 13070

rockydude

January 29th, 2014 at 2:14 AM ^

I know it must have required great courage for him to discuss this with his teammates, and then with the outside world. You never know though, hearing his story might save someone's life . . . 

Joined: 05/06/2011

MGoPoints: 5857

Real Tackles Wear 77

January 29th, 2014 at 9:41 AM ^

I wasn't an athlete at UM, but I could have used many of the same services Will availed himself of. I didn't at the time because of misconceptions other students had told me, namely that they weren't truly confidential and that records of my mental illness, if diagnosed, would have been part of my permanent record at the university. While it turned out ok for me anyway, I hope more people have the courage to approach this the same way Will did.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 9686