The Mental Game

By Rebecca Maxon

From the first-year adjustment period through their senior year of play, student-athletes face challenges and stressors as they wind their way through classes, practices, games, training, socializing, homework and more.

There’s test anxiety. Burn-out. Performance anxiety. Social media pressure. And merely coping.

Through it all, FDU is committed to supporting its student-athletes.

Both athletics departments support student mental health and well-being, ensuring that students have the best experience possible, and enabling them to succeed on the playing field and in the classroom.

“We aim to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence and supporting those who feel alone,” says Kristin Giotta, the Division III director of athletics and Devils head women’s soccer coach.

At the Florham Campus, the groups Morgan’s Message and The Hidden Opponent are bringing awareness to the mental health issues student-athletes face and offering a supportive environment to those in need.

“These programs and clubs help students build coping strategies, improve their emotional resilience and create a sense of community,” says Rosamaria Riccobono, head women’s lacrosse coach, Student Athletic Advisory Council adviser, Leadership Academy coordinator and Morgan’s Message adviser.

“They are learning how to manage stress and communicate more openly, which contributes to their overall well-being.”

Morgan’s Message, a national organization, is named after Morgan Jacobs, a lacrosse player at Duke University who died by suicide following an injury that took her off the field.

“I want to help other student-athletes feel comfortable sharing any mental health struggles they are facing and know that they’re supported unconditionally,” says Haleigh Dengler, BA’25 (Flor), a psychology major with a concentration in forensic psychology and a former student ambassador for Morgan’s Message. Dengler, who played field hockey, was a motivated student leader and advocate for mental health.

Wanting to get more involved on campus, Dominique Rodriguez, BA’25 (Flor), an undergraduate major in psychology and a graduate student in the QUEST elementary special education program, became a “campus captain” for The Hidden Opponent, motivating student leaders and advocating for mental health. Dengler was also a campus captain.

“Mental health has such a stigma around it, especially among athletes,” says Rodriguez, who played golf. “We want them to know that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help or to need help.”

Devils teams host dedication games to highlight the organizations and raise awareness about mental health issues.

T-shirt fundraisers benefit the organizations, and athletes wear the shirts to the games to show solidarity. Stickers, hair ribbons or shoelaces are distributed as well. Finally, a representative talks about the organization either before the game or at halftime.

At the Metropolitan Campus, the Division I Knights collaborate with the Center for Psychological Services to provide programming.

“The sport psychology Peak Performance program teaches and supervises doctoral students with an interest in sport psychology,” says Christian Davis, director of operations/supervisor, Division I athletics.

This program meets the needs of student-athletes by pairing them with mental health providers who understand their unique demands, needs and issues.

All Division I fall sports teams hold mental health games and the men’s volleyball team recently observed Mo-vember — when men forgo shaving for the month — in support of men’s mental health awareness.

Athletics coaches and staff also take suicide risk detection, assessment and management training to provide support to those at elevated risk for suicidal behaviors.

“Our goal is to meet the student athletes where they are by working to remove the stigma, having open conversations related to mental health, providing access to help through social media, staff communication and multiple support programs,” says Bradford Hurlbut, senior associate vice president and Knights director of athletics.