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Vital Information for Athletic Trainers from the NATA Updated Inter-Association Consensus Statement on Psychological Concerns in Collegiate Student-athletes: Antecedents of Risk to Mental Health

Vital Information for Athletic Trainers from the NATA Updated Inter-Association Consensus Statement on Psychological Concerns in Collegiate Student-athletes: Antecedents of Risk to Mental Health

Only available as part of a package

Abstract:
Student-athletes are not immune from mental health disorders and other psychological concerns.  Athletic trainers should understand the role of antecedents of risk to the mental health and wellness of the student-athlete. The updated NATA Inter-Association Consensus Statement on Psychological Concerns in Collegiate Student-Athletes provides evidence on antecedents of risk to mental health. The antecedents of risk that the athletic trainer should be aware of in the student-athletes are: Social Determinants of Health challenges, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and traumatic events. This presentation will provide data, and practical information on these antecedents of risk in developing a psychological concern in student-athletes.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the effects faced by an individual who experiences challenging social determinants of health.
  • Recognize Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the effect ACEs have on the mental health of a student-athlete.
  • Analyze the effect psychological trauma has on the student-athlete that makes them at risk for mental health disorders.
  • Consider effective approaches in discussing antecedents of risk to mental health with student-athletes.

Level:
Essential

Domain(s):
Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy 
Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis
Domain 4: Therapeutic Intervention 

Orthopedic Domain(s):
N/A

Keywords:
Social Determinants of Health; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Psychological Trauma

CEUs:
1.0 Category A

A Statement of Credit reflecting your CEUs will be issued immediately upon the successful completion of all course components.


Course Expiration: 
All sessions of the NATA 77th Symposia On-Demand must be completed by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
For full details, refer to the expiration policy on our FAQ page.

Timothy Neal, MS, ATC, CCISM

Timothy Neal, MS, ATC, CCISM is a certified athletic trainer and National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Hall of Fame member. Mr. Neal is dually credentialed as an athletic trainer and as a licensed social worker in the state of Michigan where he provides therapy for clients in the Ann Arbor area. Mr. Neal spent 35 years as a clinical athletic trainer and adjunct professor at Syracuse University, and for ten years was the Athletic Training Program Director at Concordia University Ann Arbor. Mr. Neal has chaired two NATA sponsored Inter-Association Consensus Statements on psychological concerns in student-athletes, the first one on intercollegiate athletes in 2013, followed by another Statement in 2015 for interscholastic athletes. 

Mr. Neal is certified in critical incident stress management by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) and is an approved ICISF instructor in CISM. Mr. Neal is a founding member of the NATA ATs Care committee. Presently, Mr. Neal is the clinical director of District IV ATs Care program. Mr. Neal serves as chair of the state of Michigan’s Health Profession Recovery Committee. Mr. Neal was a member of the 2013 NCAA task force on student-athlete mental health and wellness. Mr. Neal is the NATA liaison to the Alliance of Social Workers in Sport. Mr. Neal holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a Master’s degree in social work from Ohio University. Mr. Neal also earned a Master’s degree in education from Syracuse University.

This content will not be available until 07/31/2026 at 12:00 AM (CDT)