It’s important for us to follow the trends taking place in this space. Too often, these stories come to us as one-offs via the “news” & are not threaded together in terms of progress, or lack thereof.
2 stories to talk abt today:
1) A new law in Ohio requiring every coach in the state to take a student mental health training course when they renew what’s known as their “pupil-activity program permit.”
Depending on the license they hold, that could mean a refresher course every 3 or 5 yrs as well.
The bill was created bc – for the past few yrs, Columbus-area St. Francis DeSales HS boys lacrosse coach Matt Triplet has been pushing for it, once he realized how training has helped him, help his student athletes.
Pros: The bill, unlike other state ones I’ve seen proposed, does not require any ONE company/facilitator to do the training (ie it’s likely not an inside job money-grab to “friends of the state.”) Courses need to be approved by the Dept of MH & Addiction Services. Hopefully there are a few for coaches to choose from.
It’s also a pro that certain levels of coaches will be required to take refresher courses. Would love to see this in college.
Cons: The language is very reactive: What to do in case of MH emergency/if there are signs of crisis. We have to get to a place where training is abt proactive MH. If not we keep MH binary. Training to help “the students who are struggling w ‘it.’” At least this is a step in the right direction.
2) Twins pitcher Javier Lopez (follow up from a story posted over 2 wks ago) is now back from his 15 day DL stint for MH. Check out his quote ➡️: imagine that – an “employee” being supported, included, as he/she works on themselves, & comes back raring to go, instead of having to hide their struggles & eventually break down. This can be the norm!