RESOURCES
A list of resources for athletes, parents, and coaches on the latest sport psychology information, websites, and associations in the field. Additionally listed is information for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the field.
Professional Athletes
NBPA Mental Health and Wellness Resources
Provides NBA players with educational resources, referrals, and best practices on mental health and well-being.
MLB Mental Wellness
The MLB’s player resource page offers information about various mental health issues and resources for athletes and their families including a 24/7 helpline.
NFL Life Line
Part of the NFL Total Wellness initiative, offers an independent, confidential 24/7 hotline (800-506-0078) and chat support for current and former NFL players, coaches, team and league staff, and family members.
Recognize to Recover
USA Soccer Federation’s mental health guide for identifying signs and behaviors of common mental health disorders among athletes and tips on having conversations around common mental health issues.
The Players' Tribune
The Mental Health Awareness Collection provides a platform for athletes to publish their personal stories including first-person experiences around mental health.
Olympic Athletes
Athlete 365
The IOC’s official community for Olympians and elite athletes which offers advice, tools, and services on topics including mental health.
Team USA Athlete Services
The USOPC’s mental health resource guide with information on accessing sport psychologists, the Team USA 24-hour Mental Health Support Line, and apps.
College Athletes
NCAA Mental Health Best Practices
The NCAA Sport Science Institute (SSI) provides educational resources, best practice guidelines, data and research, related to collegiate student-athlete mental health and wellness.
Hilinski’s Hope Foundation
A non-profit organization formed to promote awareness and education of mental health and wellness for student athletes.
Athletes Connected
This program through the University of Michigan promotes awareness of mental health issues, stigma reduction, and coping strategies for student-athletes.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
A 24/7, free and confidential support line for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources and best practices for professionals in the US.
Youth Athletes
Institute for the Study of Youth Sports
Research, outreach and development programs to help children and youth athletes to maximize the beneficial physical, psychological, and social effects of participating in youth sports.
National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS)
Educates, equips and empowers youth sports leaders and parents to help children enjoy the lifelong benefits of sports. The NAYS coach program offers training on coaching children with mental health challenges.
Positive Coaching Alliance
A national non-profit organization that provides research-based training and resources to create a positive, character-building youth sports environment.
The Jed Foundation
A non-profit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive.
Coaches and Trainers
Managing Student-Athletes’ Mental Health Issues
This NCAA handbook provides information to easily identify student-athletes who are experiencing cognitive, behavior, emotional, and or physical symptoms related to mental health concerns.
Mind, Body and Sport: Understanding and Supporting Student Athlete Mental Wellness
This NCAA SSI publication offers personal accounts from athletes, signs and symptoms to recognize, as well as recommendations for athletic trainers and coaches.
National Athletic Trainer’s Association
This website offers practice and patient care guidelines and resources on mental health for ATCs.
National Eating Disorders Association
This Coach & Athletic Trainer Toolkit provides information and resources for addressing disordered eating in sport.
Students Interested in the Field of Sport Psychology
APA Sport Psychology Proficiency Requirements
Training in psychological skills of athletes, in the well-being of athletes, in the systemic issues associated with sports organizations and in developmental and social aspects of sports participation.
Great Jobs in Sports Interview with Dr. Shira Oretzky
Dr. Oretzky’s interview on a day in the life of a sport psychologist and tips for students interested in this field.
Sport Psychologist
Checklist
This checklist provides information on academic, professional training, licensure, and certification requirements to become a sport psychologist.
Associations
American Psychological Association (APA), Division 47
Professional organization whose members are engaged in the science and practice of psychology within sport, exercise and human performance.
Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)
Leading organization for sport psychology consultants and professionals. It offers certification for professionals and provides resources for athletes, parents, and coaches on mental performance and mental health.
Clinical/Counseling Sport Psychology Association (CCSPA)
Professional organization of licensed mental health clinicians providing services to collegiate, olympic, and professional athletes.
San Diego Sport Psychology Associates (SDSPA)
This group of independent sport psychologists and licensed psychologists specialize in the practice of applied sport psychology.
The resources listed above are provided for informational purposes only and not intended to be used as medical and/or counseling advice. Listing of resources does not indicate an endorsement by Shira A. Oretzky, Ph.D. and she is not responsible for the content, claims, or representations of the listed resources.