New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz Athletics, Wellness and Recreation Department, working alongside the Student Affairs' Student Wellbeing and Prevention Office, offered a course to student-athletes to earn a Mental Health First Aid Certification.
 
More than 30 athletes across 12 varsity programs attended the six-hour course on Sept. 22 and Sept. 29 facilitated by Associate Director for Student Wellbeing & Prevention Education Jaclyn Cirello, which was offered to select student-athletes from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
"I was fortunate enough to take part in the Mental Health First Aid training during my undergrad and again recently with several other athletes in the department," said Hawks field hockey and women's lacrosse graduate student Morgan Woolley. "The training outlines various signs and symptoms of mental health related illness. During the training we learned about noticing a change in behavior in others and how we would provide the best support possible to that individual depending on the situation."
 
Cirello facilitated both sessions in correlation with mentalhealthfirstaid.org. The certification looks to teach participants about mental health and substance abuse challenges. The Adult Mental Health First Aid course, according to mentalhealthfirstaid.org, instructs learners how to assist fellow adults, teaching how to identify, understand and respond to mental illness and substance use disorders. The training gives participants the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
 
"What I thought was most beneficial was learning how to go about supporting someone that we notice is acting differently," Woolley said. "As leaders of our teams at New Paltz, it is important that we get to know our teammates and have an action plan of how to support each other if necessary."
 
SAAC as a whole has put an emphasis on mental health for the last several years, creating a Mental Health Committee started by Woolley. Since then, there have been several Campus Captain leaders working alongside the Hidden Opponent, an accredited nonprofit and advocacy group dedicated to raising awareness for student-athlete mental health, while each program dedicates a home game every year as a their "Green Out" to break the stigma of student-athlete mental health.
 
"Since I started attending New Paltz in the fall of 2020, I have noticed that the department has made much progress in the effort to support student-athlete mental health," Woolley said. "Working closely with coach [Matt] Giufre to start the Mental Health Sub-Committee, the department has worked closely with athletes to decrease the stigma regarding mental health. Although it was a lot of work and I had to work with others on some serious topics, the growth of mental health awareness in the department has created a safe space for athletes to receive support if necessary. It was a lot of fun organizing events such as the Green Outs, having guest speakers and the Green Tie-Dye event in the fall. I hope that members of the subcommittee and staff in the department continue to push for mental health awareness events and collaboration with campus community even after I have graduated."
 

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