Penn State Athletics Mental Health Procedures

ACUTE MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY
Example: A student-athlete presents with severe depression, anxiety and/or thoughts of self-harm, suicidality or passive death wish. IF THE STUDENT ATHLETE IS SUICIDAL WITH A PLAN AND/OR INTENT, PLEASE CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY, then complete the following procedures.

In the event of an acute mental health emergency:
  1. The Athletic Department Mental Health Team will be contacted by an athletic trainer, coach or auxiliary staff.
    • The therapist(s) will conduct a Mental Status Exam, suicide assessment and safety assessment, following protocols set forth by their state licensing board to determine if the student-athlete needs immediate hospitalization, crisis de-escalation and/or safety planning.
    • The therapist(s) will contact the Centre County Crisis Line with the student-athlete for additional support and contact IF the student can guarantee safety and sign a Safety Plan.
    • The therapist(s) will contact necessary personnel regarding the crisis (athletic director, sport administrator head coach, athletic trainer and team physicians) regarding the assessment and need for continued therapy and outside supports.
    • IF the student requires in-patient hospitalization, the therapist(s) will accompany and assist with the intake process at the hospital, make parental contact and inform aforementioned staff regarding the hospitalization.
    • The therapist(s) will maintain contact with hospital staff, such as the case worker, psychiatrist and personnel, regarding a discharge plan, need for weekly therapy sessions, medication management (if prescribed) and safety planning.
    • Upon discharge from the hospital, the student-athlete will meet with their therapist within the first 12 hours. The therapist will communicate with coaches, athletic trainers and team physicians.
    • The therapist(s) will work in conjunction with the team physician, athletic trainer and coaching staff to determine a safe return to sport participation on an individual basis.

Note: If neither of the therapists are available or don’t respond in a timely manner, please call the Centre County Crisis Line at 1-800-643-5432.

  • Initial parental notification should be done by the Mental Health Team.
    • Head team physician, director of sports medicine, director of athletics and sport administrator will be notified.
    • The student-athlete’s mental health provider, in conjunction with the head team physician will determine a safe return to sport participation on an individual basis.


CHRONIC MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION (such as Depression, Anxiety, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder)

  • If student-athlete has a mental health diagnosis upon arriving to campus, and is in need of treatment, a referral will be made to the head team physician and mental health team, who will coordinate the mental health treatment on an individual basis.
  • If the student-athlete is currently under the care of a mental health professional upon arrival to campus, it is encouraged for them to inform the sports medicine staff, so that we can better serve their needs.
  • If coaches become aware of a mental health concern, contact the respective athletic trainer, who will then contact the mental health team.

PENN STATE ATHLETICS MENTAL HEALTH TEAM CONTACT INFORMATION
  • Heidi Christy - 814-321-1957 (crisis calls & chronic condition assistance)
  • Katy Pohland - 814-321-3508 (crisis calls & chronic condition assistance)
  • Danielle Summers - 814-206-4433 (chronic condition assistance)