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After reviewing the resources I was intrigued by the overall statistics of prevalence of severe mental illnesses in the US. The knowledge of how early on chronic mental illnesses begin was interesting. As someone who works daily with an adolescent population it is so important to me to be aware of the signs and symptoms of developing mental illnesses. I was aware of mental health issues and how they affect such a large population of american's but through reviewing the resources I realized that I may have underestimated the shear magnitude of the situation. Throughout my training there was content in regard to mental health concerns but it was mostly through a sports psychology lens. As a medical professional, I want to ensure that my athletes are recieving the best possible care that I can provide and as of now I believe there is a gap in my understanding of how best to identify and manage a mental health crisis or trauma.

Through doing continuing education and understanding the gaps in my learning, I began to identify a massive blind spot in regard to responding to mental health crisis. There are times as an athletic trainer where athletes and students trust me with information that be concerning, but it is my professional obligation to make sure that that student receives the help and resources they need. The survey I attached is from 2021, in which athletic trainers within the secondary school setting identified mental health, substance use, and barriers to health. Nearly one third of the responses stated a high average of mental health concerns among their athletes and a lack of access to proper care as a result of location, funding, and overall access to day to day necessities. My hope through this course, and through this degree program, is to gain knowledge in an effort to help bridge those gaps. As an athletic trainer, I advocate for my athletes on a daily basis for whatever physical injury they may receive. Having the knowledge and the training to advocate for their mental health would not only improve my patient care, but help to ensure my athletes are successful once they are out on their own.

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MEarly Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders 

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Name: Molly Early
Info: High School Athletic Trainer, originally from New Hampshire. Been living in West Texas for a little over 2 years.
Program of Study: M.A. Mental Health and Wellness Counseling.
Personal Goal: Continue to challenge myself both physically and educationally.
Professional Goal: Fill gaps in my athletic training education surrounding mental health in order to develop a better Emergency Action Plan for my athletes.
What I Want out of this Course: To increase my knowledge and understanding surrounding mental health and trauma to greater serve my athletes.

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The NATA Code of Ethics is the governing code for athletic trainer's across the country. It guides ATs on how to conduct themselves while working with the athletic population.

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The BOC is the governing body of athletic training. They maintain certification and manage any claims against an athletic trainer in a professional setting. As an athletic trainer, they set the standard for how one is to conduct themselves on a day to day basis. They maintain the educational expectations as well as overall professional practice expectation.

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At the beginning of this course, I believed I understood how important the impact of mental health had on the population. After reviewing the course resources and interacting with my fellow classmates, I quickly realized that there is so much more than I had ever realized.
Initially, I had no concept of the resources available, even in my local community. I believed that it was an issue that no one was talking about. I quickly discovered the copious number of providers and prevention strategies that are available to the public. I also learned what Mental Health First Aid was and how it is something that anyone can become certified in. I knew there was a gap in my education and understanding surrounding mental health, but I am quickly realizing that there are many avenues to developing the knowledge and skills to better treat and help my athletes.

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Mental health is something that has always been of interest to me. Through this unit I have discovered just how much I truly never knew. The amount of information I learned just by researching different disorder was staggering. Researching the different subcategories of depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use and eating disorders was eye opening. There were some that I was familiar with but many that I had little to know prior knowledge. What really interested me was the intersections, where different disorders interacted and developed new signs and symptoms. I had never heard of Psychotic Depression before. The idea that someone with Clinical Depression can also present with psychosis symptoms was fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time.

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During this unit we were tasked with watching a documentary and connecting it to what we have learned in regard to trauma. I watched Athlete A, a documentary about the abuse and cover up of USA Gymnastics and Larry Nassar. This documentary hit home as someone who works with underage athletes everyday. The trauma and resulting fear that those athletes experienced is something no one should have to deal with.
The effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACE is something I had never heard of. Now, after watching that documentary, I was able to witness what traumatic experiences early on in life can do to someone. The profound impact that destroying someone's trust and safety resulting in complex trauma has on someone even decades after the event. The direct PTSD response someone may have after sexual assault and the impact that those events have on the family.
Trauma as a whole is a particular avenue that I had never truly researched or had much prior knowledge of. Through this unit, I have been illuminated to the lasting impact trauma can have on someone and their ability to manage adverse situations.
The development of strategies and interventions are critical when dealing with patients and athletes that have experienced trauma. It is important that they process and develop coping strategies after traumatic events in order to return to normal life, though that trauma will never truly go away.

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https://www.nctsn.org/resources/psychological-first-aid-pfa-online

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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Includes a 6-hour interactive course that puts the participant in the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene. This course is for individuals new to disaster response who want to learn the core goals of PFA, as well as for seasoned practitioners who want a review. It features innovative activities, video demonstrations, and mentor tips from the nation's trauma experts and survivors. PFA online also offers a Learning Community where participants can share about experiences using PFA in the field, receive guidance during times of disaster, and obtain additional resources and training.

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Includes a 6-hour interactive course that puts the participant in the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene. This course is for individuals new to disaster response who want to learn the core goals of PFA, as well as for seasoned practitioners who want a review.

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The idea of having training in a crisis or mental health emergency situation was something that I thought only licensed counselors could do. Knowing that this training exists for anyone that may be called to work with someone that is experiencing a crisis is amazing. My parents are first responders and I was able to illuminate them to this type of training. Being there for someone who is experiencing an incredible low with compassion and understanding is something that now, after this training, frightens me a bit less. I feel more confident and sure of what to do and how to best help them.

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Unit 3 allowed for collaboration on a crisis prevention plan. Dating violence was something I had never looked into nor thought about in a professional sense. As an athletic trainer, I have never had to deal with a crisis involving relationship violence. Though, knowing how best to handle that type of crisis is critical from both a physical and psychological stand point. Throughout this project, I was able to collaborate with fellow classmates and research a topic that was both interesting and new. Being able to divide work and explore aspects of a crisis that I had never thought about allowed me to see how important it is to have policies and plans in place, in the event a crisis like this is brought to my attention.

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Understanding various cultures is crucial to the role of both an athletic trainer and counselor. As a professional, working with a wide variety of people from varying backgrounds allows for the development of new ideas, new ways of looking at difficult problems. Being sensitive to the cultural aspects of a patient is not only important, it is expected of a competent clinician. Having cultural competency allows for trust and respect between clinical and patient. If a patient is unable to trust their counselor, there is no work that can be done. There is no buy in and ultimately there is no personal changes and understanding the can be accomplished.

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Depending on the type of referral, I as an athletic trainer, am able to communicate with both the patient and the referred clinician if necessary. Typically, when referring an athlete, I communicate with the attending physical and work to develop the best treatment plan. In the realm of mental health concerns, I am able to communicate only if the patient needs or wants me to. Once I have made the suggested referral to the patient's primary care physician(PCP), the PCP takes over. They are responsible for referring the patient to a counseling professional or prescribing medication if necessary.

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West Texas Centers - Promotional, Behavioural and Developmental Health

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If you or a family member are dealing with the prospect of mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities, we understand that you may be searching for direction in choosing the best care possible. You want a provider with expertise in the field, someone you can trust and someone that you can partner with during your treatment.

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Crisis Numbers
(800)375-8965
(325)653-5933

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Permian Basin Community Centers for MMHR

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Permian Basin Community Centers for MMHR

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Contact Numbers
(800)542-4005
(877)475-7322

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Breaking down the steps to handling a crisis into an ABC Model really helped me to visualize and follow what is most important. Developing a relationship with the client being the first, and in my opinion, one of the most important steps. Then breaking the issues down into categories and specfic types of needs allows for the ease into developing strategies of the final step, committing to an action. By breaking it down this way, it is easier to communicate with a client what the concerns are, how those concerns may be impacting them in ways they are unable to identify and develop a plan on how best to begin alleviating some of the stress and anxiety surrounding the crisis. A crisis can make a client feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start regarding fixing or addressing some of their concerns. By breaking it down with them it allows for identification and autonomy in their own treatment plan. Giving them the reigns so to speak, within reason.