Mental Health and Sport Psychology
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact URPD at 289-8911 (on campus) or call 911 or 988 (off campus).
As part of Richmond's mission to provide an unrivaled student-athlete experience, Spider Athletics is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of its student-athletes. Since 2019, Richmond's efforts have been led by staff psychologist Dr. Rachel Turk and guided by Richmond Athletics' Mental Health Policy.
Under Dr. Turk's leadership, Richmond Athletics has met or exceeded the standards set by the NCAA regarding mental health best practices.
- Create Healthy Environments that Support Mental Health and Promote Well-being
- Procedures for Identification of Student-Athletes with Mental Health Symptoms and Disorders, Including Mental Health Screening Tools
- Mental Health Action Plans that Outline Referral Pathways of Student-Athletes to Qualified Providers
- Licensure of Providers who Oversee and Manage Student-Athlete Mental Health Care
INDIVIDUAL
- Pre-participation mental health screenings
- Athletic check-in appointments
- Sports injury appointments
- Individual therapy
- Mental health
- Sports performance
- Connection to diagnostic testing for ADHD and/or learning disabilities
GROUP
- Mental performance skills
- Mental health training
- Coach & staff education
OUTREACH
- Student-athlete mental health week
- Mental health awareness games
- Wellness Wednesdays
150-250%
Increase in student-athlete mental health concerns since the COVID-19 pandemic
#2
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college student-athletes
>30%
Percent of Richmond student-athletes who utilize mental-health services annually
Why Mental Health Matters
Student-athlete mental health is a key component of overall well-being and performance and is impacted by the increasing stress and pressures athletes face in today’s world. Richmond Athletics feels it is imperative to prioritize mental health and provide access to the appropriate resources like licensed mental health clinicians, screeners, and education.
As a preventative and proactive measure, each year student-athletes complete a pre-participatory mental health screener along with department-wide, yearly mental health trainings. Any student-athlete can request additional individual services at any time throughout their career.
Every team also has the option to request an individualized program based on the needs identified by coaches, staff, or team members.
In addition to mental health services, sports performance work can be utilized to help athletes perform at their highest level. Focus, confidence, self-talk, relaxation, visualization, mental toughness, and emotion regulation are among some of the key mental skills Richmond student-athletes are able to learn.