Division I athletic departments were more likely to conduct formal mental health screening compared with Division II/III institutions (89% vs. 53%).
Cross-Sectional (n=264)
Yes
There is a significant disparity in mental health screening practices between NCAA Division I and Division II/III athletic departments, highlighting a need for standardized policies.
Absolute Event Rate: 89% vs 53%
College student athletes face unique, sport-related stressors that may lead to, or exacerbate, mental health (MH) concerns and symptoms. Although the National Collegiate Athletic Association has identified MH screening as a best practice, minimal data exist regarding contemporary screening practices. We explored National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I (DI), Division II (DII), and Division III (DIII) athletic departments’ current MH screening practices ( N = 264). Compared with DII/DIII (53%), a greater percentage of Division I (89%) conducted formal MH screening. At DII/DIII institutions, athletic trainers were more likely to both administer and review screeners than any other sports medicine professional; sport psychologists primarily oversaw these tasks at DI schools. DI, compared with DII/DIII, institutions were more likely to have had a student athlete attempt suicide (62% vs. 40%) and participate in inpatient treatment (69% vs. 43%). There is a clear need for the National Collegiate Athletic Association to continue to promote policies that support MH screening and to create mechanisms in which it can monitor institutional involvement.
Drew et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Mental health screening practices (n=264). Division I institutions vs. Division II/III institutions was evaluated on Conducting formal mental health screening. Division I athletic departments were more likely to conduct formal mental health screening compared with Division II/III institutions (89% vs. 53%).