Bolstering mental health awareness of New Jersey scholastic athletes

NJSIAA offering resources; hotline access, key information, motivational stories

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (March 2, 2020) – The youth suicide rate is currently the highest it has ever been since collecting data in the 1960’s according to JAMA Pediatrics.

Responding to evidence from a recent National Athletic Trainers’ Association study that scholastic athletes experience more frequent mental health challenges than their non-athlete peers, NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association) is providing easily accessible, online support.

A dedicated page on the NJSIAA website includes a variety of key background information, articles focused on mental health, inspiration stories, and direct access to support hotlines and textlines. These latter – directly accessible via links – are 2^nd Floor Mental Health Hotline (888-222-2228), NJ Hopeline (855-654-6734) and The Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741). All lines offer the option of remaining anonymous, along with providing confidential, 24/7 telephone counseling from specialists who are also able to make referrals to local resources.

“No one should struggle alone with mental illness,” says NJSIAA Executive Director Larry White. “While our focus is student-athletes, we want to support all of NJ’s youth whether they play sports or not. Our mission is to help them stay safe and healthy, on and off the field, and that’s what our mental health site is all about.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that suicide is the second leading cause of death among ages 10–24 in the United States and accounted for 5,178 deaths in this age group in 2012. Specifically in New Jersey, from 2013-2015, there were 84 suicides in children ages 10-18, while suicide rates declined for older youth (ages 19-24), and increased for younger youth (ages 10-18), according to the 2017 New Jersey Youth Suicide Report.

NJSIAA mental health resources – hotline access, educational articles and athlete stories – are available here.

About the NJSIAA

Established in 1918, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletics Association (NJSIAA) is a voluntary, non-profit organization comprised of 436 accredited public, private, and parochial high schools. A member of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the NJSIAA conducts tournaments and crowns champions in 32 sports. Championship competition for girls is sponsored in basketball, bowling, cross country, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, outdoor track, winter track, and volleyball. Boys’ championships are determined in baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, fencing, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, outdoor track, winter track, volleyball, and wrestling.

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