LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – In conjunction with
the NCAA and by means of a Strategic Initiative Grant provided by
that organization, the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference has
contracted with Dr. Joel Fish for league-wide campus discussions on
the subject of mental health.
Dr. Fish, a nationally recognized expert in sport psychology and
currently the Director of the Center for Sport Psychology in
Philadelphia, will visit each of the eight campuses of the SCAC to
speak to student-athletes and coaches in a presentation entitled,
“Mental Health Issues &
Student-Athletes.”
Some of the key components of the presentation will include
educating both students and coaches to identify the signs and
symptoms that a student-athlete may be experiencing anxiety,
stress, depression, anger issues, substance abuse, eating
disorders, and other mental health issues. Once identified,
techniques and strategies that teammates can utilize with other
teammates who may be experiencing mental health issues will also be
demonstrated. Finally, the audience will be taught to develop a
mental health game plan to apply, if necessary, to oneself, a
teammate, or the team.
For the past 20 years, Dr. Fish has worked extensively with
athletes of all ages and skills levels, from youth sport through
the Olympic and professional ranks. He has been a sport psychology
consultant for the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers,
the Philadelphia Phillies, the Philadelphia Charge, and
the USA Women’s National Soccer Team. He has spoken
nationwide on sport psychology at over 200 universities and is a
popular presenter at a variety of athletic functions.
The presentations begin Tuesday, October 7 as Dr. Fish will be
presenting on the Austin College campus at 11 a.m. and then later
that afternoon (5 p.m.) at the University of Dallas.
The following week, Dr. Fish will make presentations at Schreiner
University (Monday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.), Texas Lutheran University
(Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.) and Trinity University (Wednesday,
Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.).
Dr. Fish’s tour of the SCAC will conclude in November with
single stops at Centenary College (Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 11 a.m.),
Colorado College (Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.) and Southwestern
University (Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.).
For additional information regarding Dr. Joel Fish and The Center
for Sport Psychology, click here.