Mental health is an important piece of student-athlete wellness. The Wentworth Sports Medicine staff, Athletics Department, and Center for Wellness are committed to providing an environment where mental well-being is promoted, where seeking care is normalized, and ensuring that student-athletes receive the care they need from a qualified mental health professional.

The Sports Medicine staff are here to provide support and resources for student-athletes in need of mental health treatment. Each year, student-athletes will complete a mental health screening as part of their pre-participation medical history. This screening is reviewed by the Sports Medicine staff and allows us to identify any student athletes that may need further assistance or information. We can help facilitate a referral to the campus’s Center for Wellness for student-athletes who wish to seek care or may need to speak to a mental health professional.

Mental performance training emphasizes the development of mental skills and preparation, which can significantly influence the overall well-being and athletic performance of student-athletes. Daniel Ockene from the Center for Wellness delivers training in mental skills to both teams and individuals, which has been proven to enhance performance. He offers mental performance support to athletes who are referred and may be facing challenges related to the mental aspects of sports, as well as conducting workshops for teams aimed at improving team building, cohesion, communication, and teaching skills for performance enhancement.

College can be a stressful experience for some, and student-athletes are not exempt from this. Pressures of competing, coping with injury, and balancing responsibilities are just some of the challenges that student-athletes experience. It has been shown that emotional distress can compromise your academic and athletic performance as well as your physical health. It is important that student-athletes prioritize their mental wellbeing and seek care as commonly as they would a physical injury.

Speak up. Get help. We are here for you.

- Allison Noyes, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Performance/Head Athletic Trainer, and Daniel Ockene, Mental Health Counselor for the Center for Wellness