Mental Health Services for Canadian University Student-Athletes: An Exploratory Survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara L. Giovannetti ◽  
Jessica R.G. Robertson ◽  
Heather L. Colquhoun ◽  
Cindy K. Malachowski

University student-athletes are equally vulnerable to mental health challenges compared to their non-athlete peers, but they access mental health services with less frequency. This study sought to explore the mental health issues experienced by Canadian student-athletes in order to address the question: how can Canadian universities better meet the mental health needs of student-athletes? An electronic survey was distributed to student-athletes at a large Canadian university. Data from 113 respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Stress and pressure were reported as the most prevalent contributors to mental health issues, and 47% of respondents indicated that there was a time in which they wanted to seek services for their mental health, but chose not to. Respondents identified mental health education for coaches and designating a healthcare professional within the athletic department as beneficial resources. Findings from this study can inform local and national mental health service planning for student-athletes.

Author(s):  
Yamam Abuzinadah ◽  
Bader Binhadyan ◽  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe

Mental health have become a very influential topic around the world due to the increase of mental health issues that have been reported through national research and surveys. Many studies have been done along the years around the barriers in regards to seeking help in deferent countries and communities. This research aims to look closely into these barriers targeting issues and potential solutions, specifically for Saudi Arabia. Recently, the use of e-mental health services have proven to be an effective method to improve is barriers to mental health treatment. However, this chapter addresses the application and suitably of e-mental health programs for Saudi Arabia mental health services. To do so, a case study of Australian e-mental health services was selected to assist with the investigations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 136-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitris Giamos ◽  
Alex Young Soo Lee ◽  
Amanda Suleiman ◽  
Heather Stuart ◽  
Shu-Ping Chen

This study aimed to better understand campus mental health culture and student mental health coping strategies, and to identify the mental health needs of students as well as gaps in mental health services within postsecondary education. A videovoice method was used to identify and document health-related issues and advocate for change. Forty-one interviews were conducted with campus stakeholders at five universities. Five themes involving mental health emerged from the campus interviews: the stigma of mental illness; campus culture related to mental health; mental health services available and barriers to mental health services on campus; accommodations for students’ mental health needs; and student mental health coping strategies. A documentary was developed to advocate for better mental health. We conclude that although Canadian campuses are raising awareness about mental health issues, there is not enough mental health infrastructure support on campuses; in particular, accessibility to campus mental health resources needs improvement.


Author(s):  
Yamam Abuzinadah ◽  
Bader Binhadyan ◽  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe

Mental health have become a very influential topic around the world due to the increase of mental health issues that have been reported through national research and surveys. Many studies have been done along the years around the barriers in regards to seeking help in deferent countries and communities. This research aims to look closely into these barriers targeting issues and potential solutions, specifically for Saudi Arabia. Recently, the use of e-mental health services have proven to be an effective method to improve is barriers to mental health treatment. However, this chapter addresses the application and suitably of e-mental health programs for Saudi Arabia mental health services. To do so, a case study of Australian e-mental health services was selected to assist with the investigations.


Author(s):  
Sharon Lawn ◽  
Christine Kaine ◽  
Jeremy Stevenson ◽  
Janne McMahon

Mental health issues are a severe global concern with significant personal, social, and economic consequences and costs. This paper reports results of an online survey disseminated across the Australian community investigating why people with mental health issues choose particular mental health services over others, what causes them to disengage from services, and what factors and qualities of services are important to consumers to support their continued engagement or re-engagement with mental health services. The importance of GPs was evident, given their key role in providing mental healthcare, especially to those referred to as “the missing middle”—consumers with mental health issues who fall through the gaps in care in other parts of the healthcare system. The study found that many respondents chose to engage with mental healthcare providers primarily due to accessibility and affordability, but also because of the relational qualities that they displayed as part of delivering care. These qualities fostered consumers’ sense of trust, feeling listened to, and not being stigmatized as part of help seeking and having their mental health needs met. Implications for education and practice are offered.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supp) ◽  
pp. 437-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roya Ijadi-Maghsoodi ◽  
Kacy Bonnet ◽  
Sophie Feller ◽  
Kathleen Nagaran ◽  
Maryjane Puffer ◽  
...  

Objective: Schools and school-based health centers (SBHCs) play an important role in reducing disparities in access to mental health treatment. However, there is a need to increase student engagement in school mental health services. This study sought to understand the perceptions of low-income minority youth on help-seeking and barriers to mental health services at SBHC sites.Design: Descriptive, qualitative study.Setting: A network of SBHCs, called Well­ness Centers, developed as part of a strate­gic plan to serve students and community members in under-resourced areas of a large urban school district.Participants and Procedures: We conduct­ed focus groups with 76 middle and high school students at nine SBHC sites through a community-academic partnered approach from January to May 2014. The focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and major themes coded with Atlas.ti.5.1.Results: Students identified teachers as a primary source of support for mental health issues, followed by peers and mental health counselors. Students felt that trust and con­nection were vital for help-seeking. Barriers to using SBHCs included: embarrassment; fear of judgment; concerns about confiden­tiality; a sense that they should keep things inside; and lack of awareness.Conclusions: Despite the resources avail­able at SBHCs, students face barriers to help-seeking. SBHCs can help teachers and school staff gain awareness of mental health issues and services available to students. The students’ recommendations—making SBHCs more comfortable, raising mental health awareness, and bolstering connec­tions with school and SBHC staff—may improve engagement in mental health services at schools with SBHCs. Ethn Dis. 2018;28(Suppl 2):437-444; doi:10.18865/ed.28.S2.437


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Rubenstein ◽  
Stephanie Dukes ◽  
Carolyn Fearing ◽  
Brenda K. Foster ◽  
Kirstin Painter ◽  
...  

It is only recently that health providers, policy makers, researchers, and the public have begun to focus on the importance of the mental health needs of children, youth, and young adults. There is a growing understanding that children’s mental health issues must be addressed early to improve behavioral health outcomes for children and decrease or prevent problems later in life for the child, his or her family, and the community as a whole. The Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health Campaign (Campaign) is a social marketing program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that improves the nation’s behavioral health, with a mission of reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness in communities across the country. The Campaign’s goals are to increase awareness of children’s mental health issues and promote the development, expansion, and sustainability of innovative approaches to delivering community mental health services for children and youth with mental disorders. The Campaign addresses these goals by providing social marketing training and technical assistance to federally funded grantees in local communities. The Campaign and the grantees are funded through SAMHSA’s Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. The purpose of this article is to inform professionals in the field of social marketing about how a program at the national level provides support to local, state, tribal, and territorial grantees to facilitate grassroots systems change using a social marketing approach.


2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 136-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitris Giamos ◽  
Alex Young Soo Lee ◽  
Amanda Suleiman ◽  
Heather Stuart ◽  
Shu-Ping Chen

This study aimed to better understand campus mental health culture and student mental health coping strategies, and to identify the mental health needs of students as well as gaps in mental health services within postsecondary education. A videovoice method was used to identify and document health-related issues and advocate for change. Forty-one interviews were conducted with campus stakeholders at five universities. Five themes involving mental health emerged from the campus interviews: the stigma of mental illness; campus culture related to mental health; mental health services available and barriers to mental health services on campus; accommodations for students’ mental health needs; and student mental health coping strategies. A documentary was developed to advocate for better mental health. We conclude that although Canadian campuses are raising awareness about mental health issues, there is not enough mental health infrastructure support on campuses; in particular, accessibility to campus mental health resources needs improvement.  


2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (12) ◽  
pp. 766-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Jaworska ◽  
Elisea De Somma ◽  
Bernice Fonseka ◽  
Emma Heck ◽  
Glenda M. MacQueen

Objective: Although the high prevalence of mental health issues among postsecondary students is well documented, comparatively little is known about the adequacy, accessibility, and adherence to best practices of mental health services (MHSs)/initiatives on postsecondary campuses. We evaluated existing mental health promotion, identification, and intervention initiatives at postsecondary institutions across Canada, expanding on our previous work in one Canadian province. Methods: A 54-question online survey was sent to potential respondents (mainly front-line workers dealing directly with students [e.g., psychologists/counsellors, medical professionals]) at Canada’s publicly funded postsecondary institutions. Data were analyzed overall and according to institutional size (small [<2000 students], medium [2000–10 000 students], large [>10 000 students]). Results: In total, 168 out of 180 institutions were represented, and the response rate was high (96%; 274 respondents). Most institutions have some form of mental health promotion and outreach programs, although most respondents felt that these were not a good use of resources. Various social supports exist at most institutions, with large ones offering the greatest variety. Most institutions do not require incoming students to disclose mental health issues. While counselling services are typically available, staff do not reliably have a diverse complement (e.g., gender or race diversity). Counselling sessions are generally limited, and follow-up procedures are uncommon. Complete diagnostic assessments and the use of standardized diagnostic systems are rare. Conclusions: While integral MHSs are offered at most Canadian postsecondary institutions, the range and depth of available services are variable. These data can guide policy makers and stakeholders in developing comprehensive campus mental health strategies.


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