Student-Athlete Mental Health Day Policy
In order to foster a culture that supports the overall well-being of our student-athletes and empowers them to perform at their best, the Upper Iowa Athletics Department, in collaboration with the UIU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, will be adopting the following Mental Health Day Policy during the 2022-2023 academic year.
SCOPE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH DAY POLICY
- All programs within Upper Iowa Athletics will provide student-athletes with mental health “sick days” if/when they are requested. These will be treated similar to a necessary day off due to illness or injury.
- Coaches must openly accept and grant the use of mental health “sick days” without judgement, pressure, guilt, or retaliation.
- Aside from coaches checking-in to ensure the student-athlete is okay, this is a no-questions-asked policy that will allow student-athletes the space to rest, recover, rebuild, and refocus however they see fit.
- Similar to a sick day, the student-athlete must notify their coach about their need to utilize a mental health day. Following notification to the coach, the student-athlete has a full 24-hours off from the demands of their sport including practice, strength & conditioning, study tables, film sessions, etc.
- This does NOT excuse student-athletes from their academic demands and responsibilities.
- If the student-athlete needs relief from academics that day, they must communicate with their professors and the Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Services and work with the respective parties to develop an agreed upon plan for completing academic responsibilities in a timely manner.
RETURN-TO-PLAY MEETING
- Following a mental health day, the student-athlete must meet with one of the following individuals to ensure they are mentally ready to return to play.
- Head / Assistant Coach (must be a Full-Time Coach)
- Sport Administrator
- Sport Athletic Trainer
- UIU Counselor
- If a student chooses to meet with the Director of Counseling, a Release of Information (ROI) must be signed for clearance.
- If a student-athlete requests three or more mental health days in a row OR three or more mental health days during a session, the student-athlete will be referred to Upper Iowa Counseling or other mental health professional to ensure they are receiving the support and resources needed to manage their mental health.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE RETURN-TO-PLAY MEETING?
- To allow for open discussion with the student-athlete to gauge how they are doing and feeling before they return to the sport.
- To provide student-athletes with a listening ear while respecting their privacy and being cognizant that a student-athlete may not want to discuss all of the details.
- To ensure the student-athlete feels unwavering support within their sport and team.
- To share additional resources that the student-athlete can utilize to prioritize & preserve their mental health.
- To create an environment where our student-athlete’s mental health is a priority.
POLICY PURPOSE
More than 30% of student-athletes report that they struggle with anxiety and/or depression. As coaches, staff, and administrators we play a critical role in creating an environment that supports the mental health and well-being of our athletes. By prioritizing our student’s mental health, we are trying to promote mental wellness and resiliency on our campus and to encourage and destigmatize help-seeking for mental health concerns. By supporting our student-athletes mental health, it will help them:
- Perform better on the playing field, in their workouts, in the classroom, and in their day-to-day life.
- Create a stronger, more trusting relationship with coaches, teammates, and athletics staff.
- Feel supported, loved and cared for within our department and in turn, help the overall retention rate
- Recognize it is normal, acceptable, and encouraged to seek help or ask for a day to decompress and work on self-care if they are struggling mentally
- Advocating for oneself and empower them to prioritize their well-being and mental health so that they can be their best self in all aspects of their life.
