General | 2/4/2019 12:00:00 AM
Goldey-Beacom will join the list of College's focusing on the growing trend of mental health by hosting Mental Health Awareness Night on Tuesday, February 5 during its home basketball doubleheader.
Goldey-Beacom's Student Affairs Office also will be in attendance distributing information on the topic. The doubleheader against Holy Family begins at 6:00 pm with the women's contest, followed by the men's game at 8:00 pm.
Mental health awareness recently has become a high priority among NCAA and Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference institutions. Medical problems usually have a psychological or emotional consequence such as eating disorders and substance-related problems. Student-athletes who suffer depression increase their risk of injury as the mind and body affect one another.
Physical and medical symptoms include being tired and weak, loss of appetite, having trouble sleeping and having headaches. Behavioral signs include decrease in athletic or academic performance and withdrawing from peers and daily activities. Cognitive signs include having trouble concentrating, trouble with decision making and having negative self-talk.
Student-athletes afflicted should not be afraid to ask for help. They should take time away from their busy schedules to socialize, meet new people, eat consistently and hydrate throughout the day. This will help their well-being and keep them living a healthy lifestyle.
If a teammate struggles with a mental illness, support and understanding should be provided. Help calm the person, listen to them carefully without passing judgement or making critical comments and look at all the options of how to help. Whether it is talking to them and giving them someone who will listen, seeking help from a coach or administrator is just as important as calling 911 or a hotline.
Goldey-Beacom's Student Affairs Office has brought awareness to the mental health support services provided by the College. Through the great work of Dean of Students and former Director of Athletics Chuck Hammond, the Delaware Crisis Intervention Services (CIS) has agreed to provide on-site mobile support and assessment for a student experiencing severe mental health symptoms. This group will also be offering training for key employees on crisis intervention.
Dean Hammond also has announced he has joined the Delaware Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition, opening a strong network of professionals in schools throughout Delaware. This provides us expanded access to "best practice" guidelines, enhanced training, and has already resulted in a new and robust resource guide to get help for students. This help is available in the Student Affairs Office.
