Fresno State Athletics Battles Mental Health On and Off the Field
Long jump athlete Rachela Pace is living the dream on the track, but away from Warmerdam, she is more than just practicing to play at the next level. She is also trying to succeed in the classroom.
“Class in the morning, then I head here to practice, then when I go home, I just do the rest of the homework I need to do and just studying,” says Pace about her cramped school schedule with athletics involved. “So it’s a very busy, busy day for me.”
School can be a challenge. Then add in the workload of practice and travel to get to meets and games. It can take a toll.
That is where Halcyon Behavioral comes into play. Fresno State Athletics teamed up with Halcyon to become the go-to source when it comes to mental health. Sandra Carnahan, the director of Clinical Services may not be someone who presents herself in the foreground but plays a crucial part in directing student-athletes to the help they desire.
“They do have 24/7 support though our triage team,” says Carnahan on the availability of the Halcyon system. “They are available 24/7 and then we connect them to outside individual therapy services.”
Mental health is a key piece to the puzzle when on the field. Whether as the star point guard or play a signature role like Fresno State Kicker Abraham Montano, having a good mental is a make or break in those crucial points.
“It’s great because it’s basically giving you a sense of that you are not alone,” says Montano on the resource availability with the Bulldog Brave, Bulldog Strong website. “You know, you have someone or something to reach out to when you feel lost or need something.”
Among Fresno State student-athletes, 25 percent of men and 30 percent of women athletes reported feelings of anxiety. With the help of Halcyon, over 500 student-athletes have gotten the help they needed either virtually, by phone or in person. Even with this assistance, coaches still emphasize mental health on an ongoing basis.
“I see the importance of mental health, as well as physical health,” says Joe Riccio, the assistant track coach for Fresno State Athletics, who also got his bachelor’s degree in psychology. “Mental health is just as important as physical health. Any sort of mental health professional, we can view them similar to a coach, just coaching a different muscle.”
If you are a student-athlete who feels the stress that comes with performing, or you need a resource to just vent, you can contact the Bulldog Brave, Bulldog Strong Website, or call 888-425-4800.