In a survey led by the NCAA, more than 80% of heads, assistants and associate coaches in all three divisions reported spending more time discussing mental health with student-athletes than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. A high percentage of coaches reported personally facing mental health issues.
Over 6,000 coaches from all NCAA-sponsored sports responded to the survey. This research was conducted by an NCAA study to better understand how coaches are supporting student-athletes and their own mental health. We also do NCAA research Three studies on the mental health of student-athletes since the pandemic started.
About a third of coaches reported experiencing mental fatigue, feeling overwhelmed with everything they had to do, and sleep disturbances “always” or “almost every day.” In their responses, coaches addressed pandemic-related factors, roster management challenges including the evolving transfer landscape and additional qualifications, concerns about work and athletics department budgets, and personal circumstances such as financial stress and childcare. I’ve taken action.
Coaches under the age of 40 report higher rates of mental health issues than older coaches. For example, 46% of coaches are considered millennials (born 1981-96) and 44% are considered part of Generation Z (born 1997-2012), while Generation X (1965-80 born in 2013), 34% and 19% report near-constant mental fatigue. Percentage of baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964). Additionally, coaches who identified as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Women; or members of the LGBTQ+ community reported higher rates of mental health concerns, similar to data found in a survey of student-athletes.
When asked about roster management, nearly a third of head coaches in all three divisions reported being “extremely concerned” about potential player transfers. At the same time, 25% of Division I, 18% of Division II and 12% of Division III coaches reported high levels of stress related to the need to recruit his four-year transfer into the program. More than 30% of his Division I coaches report high levels of concern about roster management due to additional entitlements due to COVID-19.
The survey also asked coaches open-ended questions to provide specific feedback on what kind of support they would like in the future. Responses included more staffing, better wages and access to mental health resources.
The NCAA Sport Science Institute provides health and safety resources for college athletes, coaches, track and field administrators and campus partners. Mental Health Educational Resources Include reviews of best practice, data and research When summit and task forceThe Mental Health Advisory Group, created to advise the NCAA on new developments in mental health science and policy, will begin meeting in the fall of 2022. Mental health best practices and other relevant mental health materials.
The findings were presented to governing bodies in all three divisions at the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio. A separate Division II educational session, ‘Mental Wellness from a Coach’s Perspective’ was also held. Aggregated sport-specific data will be shared with various coaching associations later this month for potential education and resource development.
