Does Your Emergency Action Plan Include a Mental Health Emergency?

Athletic Trainers know the importance of having an Emergency Action Plan when a physical medical emergency occurs.

But what about a mental health emergency?

The National Athletic Trainers' Association has published an updated consensus statement designed to help Athletic Trainers, team physicians and mental health professionals working in collegiate athletics prepare for those situations. Previous NATA guidance on mental health emergency response had not been published since 2013.

Tim Neal, a certified Athletic Trainer, NATA Hall of Fame member and licensed social worker, served as lead author. University of Georgia Director of Mental Health and Performance Dr. Dylan Firsick was among the co-authors.

A major focus of the new guidance is the development of a Mental Health Emergency Action Plan, using the familiar medical EAP concept as a model.

The recommendations address recognizing student-athletes who may be experiencing psychological concerns, circumstances that can affect their mental health and well-being, mental health assessment strategies, and plans for referral when an athlete needs additional care.

At Georgia, Firsick said mental health emergency response is already a regular conversation between the university's sports medicine and mental health and performance departments.

“It is encouraging to know that many of our own policies and procedures are reflected in this paper as a recommended standard for emergency response.”

For Athletic Trainers, the new guidance raises a worthwhile question:

Your organization has a plan for a medical emergency. Do you have one for a mental health emergency?

Read the full NATA consensus statement to explore the updated recommendations.