Kudos to the NCAA health and safety staff for highlighting the issue of depression in student-athletes, and sharing with us the heartbreaking "Nathan's story" (April 12 issue of The NCAA News).

Depression is an extremely serious, yet often misunderstood and overlooked, problem. Unfortunately, people sometimes pass it off as "just part of growing up."

At the University of Arizona, the PAL (Peer Athletic Leaders) peer-mentoring program focuses on ways to educate our student-athletes on issues that may arise on their teams. Although we concentrate predominantly on freshmen and the transitional issues they face, there is a wide range of concerns affecting student-athletes throughout the course of their career. For most it culminates in the loss of their sport and something that has been a huge part of their lives for many years.

In a recent presentation on this very topic, Ken Marsh, director of our counseling and psychological services, called attention to two important issues. One is called "poignancy," the tendency for students to experience emotions more intensely due to lack of prior experience with similar situations. In other words, fewer life experiences can sometimes lead to increased emotional responses to events. Although others may not interpret it as a significant event, it is significant to the student who is experiencing it, and we need to appreciate and acknowledge that.

Secondly, we need not be afraid to ask someone if they are depressed or even suicidal. They will probably be grateful that you cared enough to reach out to them. Obviously, the best way to intervene with depression or suicide attitudes is to intervene early, before they get to that breaking point. It means looking out for depression and stress and the other, general upsets that we sense in friends but are sometimes "too polite to ask." We need to be careful not to treat people who have problems too delicately because they can sense that, and when they sense we are treating them so carefully, it upsets them even more. It's much better to be straight with them -- matter of fact, and direct.

The changes, challenges and choices that student-athletes face can seem overwhelming at times. We must let student-athletes know that it is OK to admit if they have a problem, it's OK to talk to someone -- that it is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is a show of strength to be able to take that first step.

Participation in the CHAMPS/Life Skills program also can be instrumental in helping with some of these difficult challenges. By building a solid support system, being aware of resources both within the athletics department and on campus, and becoming involved in leadership groups, community-service projects or other extracurricular activities, student-athletes can build their identity and cope much better when one aspect of their life is not going well. Attending to mental health and physical health should be the goal for all.

I applaud the NCAA's efforts to bring this subject to light, and I encourage all who work with student-athletes to take this matter very seriously. We cannot, and must not, ignore this problem. Take it one step further. Ask one more question. Reach out. I believe, to a greater rather than lesser extent, it affects more student-athletes than we are willing to admit. With the proper understanding, education, awareness, support and referral systems in place, we can take a step toward preventing tragedies such as Nathan's.

Becky Bell
Director, C.A.T.S. Life Skills
University of Arizona Department of Athletics