A program called "CollegeResponse" is available to help institutions assess, treat and in some cases prevent mental-health problems for student-athletes.

The program comes from officials at Screening for Mental Health, Inc., which first introduced the concept of large-scale mental-health screenings with a National Depression Screening Day in 1991.

CollegeResponse takes a multi-faceted approach in addressing mental-health issues and alcohol problems in the college community. The program uses screening and education as the major tools in creating a college community that is aware of the signs of mental-health and alcohol disorders and the resources available for treatment.

"We have been partnering with the NCAA for more than 10 years to help bring attention to these often overlooked issues," said Jillian Barber, program manager for CollegeResponse. "Although participating in college athletics can be quite beneficial in terms of maintaining good mental and physical health, sometimes the added pressure to do well both academically and on the field or in the gym can leave students feeling overwhelmed."

Barber added that athletics departments should connect with their health and counseling centers for screening opportunities, since they are the departments on campus with this service focus.

She said depression, anxiety, alcohol problems and eating disorders affect the lives of millions of college students. And for students who participate in college athletics, the pressure of competition can exacerbate problems in those vulnerable to mental-health issues. Stigma, confusion and lack of knowledge of the resources available prevent many students from learning about these disorders and from seeking help, Barber said.

Studies of college athletes reveal:

* Athletes reported heavier alcohol use and a greater number of drinking-related harms when compared to non-athlete students.

* Student athletes who scored in the "severe" range for depression and psychiatric symptoms had significantly higher rates of alcohol abuse than those who had "mild" depression symptom ratings.

* In a Division I study, more than one-third of female athletes surveyed reported attitudes and symptoms placing them at risk for anorexia nervosa.

Through in-person and online screening for mental-health and alcohol problems, CollegeResponse promotes early detection among the student population. If the screenings suggest a likelihood of one or more disorders, students are referred to on- or off-campus resources for further evaluation.

Barber said once students are aware they have access to free, anonymous screenings, they are more likely to seek treatment for themselves and recommend those resources to their friends. College-
Response includes screenings for depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol problems and eating disorders.

CollegeResponse is the parent program of NDSD Mental Health Screening (National Depression Screening Day), National Alcohol Screening Day, the National Eating Disorders Screening Program and the SOS Suicide Prevention Program. Schools can register for any or all of the components. Those that register for an in-person event receive materials that include a manual with step-by-step instructions for implementing each part of the program, screening forms, educational videos, brochures, promotional posters and flyers. Colleges that register for the online program receive detailed information on how to customize their online screening, promote the program and run utilization reports.

For more information or to register for CollegeResponse, call 781/239-0071 or visit www.mentalhealthscreening.org/college.