With the increased emphasis on alcohol-abuse prevention and education, NCAA institutions are reminded that there are plenty of resources available to help develop programming to enhance student-athlete wellness.

One of those resources is National Alcohol Screening Day, offered by the nonprofit organization Screening for Mental Health and co-sponsored by the NCAA. National Alcohol Screening Day, held nationwide at some 700 colleges and universities, is funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Screening for Mental Health's "College Response" initiative offers colleges and universities a comprehensive method of addressing highly prevalent and underdiagnosed disorders ranging from alcohol-use disorders and risky drinking to eating disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

At least one NCAA institution has taken advantage of these resources to develop a unique collaboration that offers alcohol screening to all of its student-athletes, encouraging each athlete to take an honest look at their drinking habits and learn where to draw the line.

The Northern Kentucky University counseling center began participating in National Alcohol Screening Day in 2002, offering alcohol screening to the general student body. Simultaneously, the athletics department received a letter from the NCAA suggesting that the department connect with the counseling center to offer the alcohol screenings to athletes.

Northern Kentucky Associate Athletics Director Chris Stickley said that prompted a successful collaboration that has resulted in 350 student-athletes being individually screened for alcohol use disorders and educated about risky drinking.

Stickley said that the idea of using screening as an educational approach makes sense because it personalizes the message.

"Screening is a perfect method for reaching students because it speaks directly to each individual athlete," Stickley said. "So often in wellness programming the overall message is heard but the perception is that it applies to someone else. With screening, the athlete is faced with a list of questions and can see exactly what risk factors he or she may have."

Karen Bolte, a counselor and prevention coordinator at the school, said that when it comes to alcohol, student-athletes often have the same questions that other students have, but they also have the pressures of performing in practice and competition.

"We offer them the opportunity to complete a written screening questionnaire, watch a video, and speak one on one with a counselor," Bolte said. "We are thrilled to work with these students because they are so high- achieving, and yet we are struck by how typical they are in their questions. Most do not know how much is too much, how to judge their own behaviors or alcohol's effect on overall health."

Bolte said the counseling center sets aside times specifically for the student-athletes to accommodate their schedules. Student-athletes may go individually, in groups of five or six, or sometimes as an entire team, accompanied by their coach.

"Having the athletics department approach us about offering special screening services to the athletes made our work very exciting because it was collaborative," said Bolte. "We are mindful that we are working as a team to enhance student-athletes' performances both in and out of competition. We are constantly evaluating what we are doing to make it more accessible and credible. Next year, for example, I think we will move the screenings to a more central location and hold some special after-hours sessions."

Stickley said Northern Kentucky is so pleased with the arrangement that officials are considering making the alcohol screening a requirement for all student-athletes. Currently, participating in the alcohol screening is one possible choice from a range of options, but Stickley said there is nothing like a screening to drive the point home.

"After the screenings I hear the words 'eye-opening' a lot," he said. "You don't get that from any other wellness program."

National Alcohol Screening Day is held in April as part of Alcohol Awareness Month. In addition, the National Eating Disorders Screening Program is held in February as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The 2004 event is February 22-29. Athletics departments interested in having athletes screened for these disorders should contact their health or counseling centers to see if they are already participating in the eating disorders program or to let them know they can do so by contacting Screening for Mental Health at 781/239-0071 or via e-mail at college@mentalhealthscreening.org.

Eating disorders lead to physical troubles such as fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness, broken bones, leg cramps, and irregular heart rate, with the obvious negative effects on athletics performance. Counselors emphasize, however, that even those who do not have a diagnosable eating disorder can benefit from this program. Food concerns, body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem can keep a student from achieving at school or sports and hinders social activities. The eating disorders screening program helps students stop unhealthy eating habits before they evolve into full-blown eating disorders.

Additional information about these screenings can be found at www.mentalhealthscreening.org.

Joelle M. Reizes, director of external relations at Screening for Mental Health, contributed to this article.