Racer Athletics Staff Participates in Mental Health First Aid Training

With a continued emphasis on the importance of mental health on campus, in the community and nationally, Murray State Athletics coaches, administrators, and staff have completed Mental Health First Aid training through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

A pillar of the department's Dennis Jackson Leadership Program, the training provided each participant with crucial knowledge to help assess and provide support during a mental health crisis.

"Mental health is a national topic that we are fully committed to embracing, and this training was a perfect opportunity for our staff to learn how to assist during these critical moments," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "The training has had an incredible impact on all those who took it, and I am grateful for our staff for their willingness to embrace and participate in the important dialogue of this subject to assess and monitor the well-being of everyone involved in Racer Athletics"

The course teaches the critical skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as how to provide someone with initial support until they are connected with appropriate professional help.

Additionally, participants were taught the risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.

"I want to thank Executive Senior Associate AD for Competitive Excellence, Matt Kelly, Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Development and SWA, Rachael Cuttitta and Dr. Angie Trzepacz, who serves as Director of University Counseling Services, for putting this training together," Yantko said. "These three worked tirelessly to ensure we were able to host this highly-informative course."

Murray State's Dennis Jackson Leadership Program (DJLP), presented by Swift & Staley, is powered by the five pillars of Career Readiness, Leadership & Civic Engagement, NIL Preparedness & Brand Management, Financial Literacy, and Mental Health.

The mental health component of the program provides mental health resources and other programming to all Racer student-athletes, furthering the department's commitment into this important space. You can learn more about the DJLP by clicking HERE.

Racer Athletics has been committed to providing high-level training for staff on relevant topics throughout the year as the landscape of intercollegiate athletics continues to change. Recently, the department hosted a representative who works with collegiate and professional sports organizations to speak sports betting education and its impact on college sports.

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Murray State Athletics would also like to thank Jimmy John's in Murray, Kentucky, for providing lunch for both Mental Health First Aid training sessions. Thank you for your support of Racer Athletics!

Murray State University

Racer Athletics Staff Participates in Mental Health First Aid Training

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