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When you think of a student-athlete's health, you probably are inclined to think primarily of the person's physical/medical condition and what effect the injury will have on athletic performance. A student-athlete's "mental health" might be viewed as secondary to physical health; however, it is every bit as important.
Research suggests that suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. Approximately three suicides occur daily among college students, and seven to 10 percent of college students either attempt or contemplate suicide in a given year. Although early identification and treatment are important for all mental disorders, they are more important for mood disorders because of the potential for self-harm. Coaches sometime want to assume that student-athletes are healthy simply because they are athletes. Coaches must remember that they are not just student-athletes. They are human beings with the same potential frailties as non-athletes. They are young people attempting to deal with all of the complexities of life, the demands of college life and the pressures that sometimes accompany athletic performance.
Source: NCAA Managing Student-Athletes' Mental Health Issues Resource Guide
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