Are you the parent of an Athlete? Are you a Student-Athlete? Are you a Recreational Athlete? Have you transitioned or retired from Sport? Are life's stressors affecting your ability to perform and keep in the game? If so, you could benefit from working with a Sport Social Worker.
What is Sport Social Work?
Sport Social Work is a sub-specialty within the field of Social Work. Sport Social Work's concentration is on promoting Athletes' growth and resiliency by building and enhancing skills, that can address mental health and psychosocial needs. Sport Social Work, "focuses on the unique individual and environmental needs of athletes and promotes social justice and individual change across sports" (Gummiest & Moore, 2019, p. 14).
Why is Sport Social Work Important?
Athletes, like all humans, are a part of different cultures and experience challenges with mental health, too. For example, Athletes experience anxiety, depression, personality disorders, adhd, eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, and psychosomatic illnesses (Stull, 2014, p. 21). Athletes are a population at increased risk for mental health challenges because of pressures to perform, conform, and hide injuries. Also, Athletes are pressured to be role models, that show physical and mental toughness. Therefore, many Athletes do not ask for help. This in turn, leads Athletes to self-medicating and experiencing substance abuse and undiagnosed mental disorders (Dean & Rowan, 2013, pp. 3-4).
If you are an Athlete, retired Athlete, Recreational Athlete, or the parent of a Student-Athlete in need, contact us today!
References
Dean, C., & Rowan, D. (2013). The social worker’s role in serving vulnerable athletes. Journal of Social Work Practice: Psychotherapeutic Approaches in Health, Welfare and the Community, 1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2013.817989
Gummelt, G., & Moore, M. (2019). Introduction to sport social work policy. Sport social work: Promoting the functioning and well-being of college and professional athletes.(1st ed., p.14).
Stull, T. (2014). Chapter 2 positioning the experts: The psychiatrist perspective. Mind, body, and sport: Understanding and supporting student-athlete mental wellness (pp.21-23). National Collegiate Athletic Association.