How Missouri State has been proactive in its mental health offerings for student-athletes

If you are facing an immediate mental health, suicide or substance use crisis or any other emotional distress, call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org/chat.

Missouri State Athletics has launched and expanded mental health services for its athletes in recent years and its success has allowed the program's director to dream about its possibilities as it serves over 400 student-athletes.

Dr. Shawn Freeman, the athletics department's director of psychological services, said he believes in his heart that the new program has helped many athletes and, in some cases, "maybe even saved some lives."

"Missouri State has been very proactive," Freeman said. "The school has taken the initiative versus waiting for the universe and the NCAA to make it a requirement and so on. I really appreciate the university for that approach."

Freeman became a full-time staff member for Missouri State Athletics in October 2023 and has worked with the university for 13 years. He's been a psychologist and provider representative for Mercy since 2007.

Freeman helps the department with many needs, ranging from mental health crisis intervention, eating disorders, concussion protocols, access to mental health screening, policy development and overseeing clinical assignments of MSU's Psychology and Sports Psychology students.

"Ultimately, my goal, regardless of what happens around them in terms of their performance (on the field), is that they're OK with themselves," Freeman said. "That's the most gratifying thing to me is to see these individuals walk away being more comfortable in their own skin and being more secure with who they are."

In Freeman's early days leading the program, he has a graduate assistant who provides assistance and a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders. Other psychologists in the community will help contractually. The growing program has set up an opportunity for an additional graduate assistant and the plan is to eventually add interns and practicum students from its Doctor of Psychology program.

The program's success has allowed him to imagine a future where athletes are given more support. He dreams of a day when student-athletes are willing to talk publicly about their struggles to destigmatize mental health while being comfortable with who they are and helping others along the way.

How are Missouri State athletes referred to its mental health services?

Many eyes are trained to keep an eye on the different athletes. That includes the different coaches, athletic trainers and even athletes who are trained to look for signs in their student-athletes or peers.

In annual questionnaires, athletes are asked about depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating-related issues and others. It provides the school with the athletes' history and then looks at where they're at currently. Based on those responses, it allows the school to figure out who needs to be referred for immediate support while also identifying those who should be monitored. The department is working on implementing a process where athletes are also screened at different points in the year.

Athletes can go to Freeman or those he works with. They're also given the option to utilize the university's counseling center, depending on the situation. Athletes can opt to use a telehealth company if they're not comfortable speaking with someone directly affiliated with the university.

What are the broad items leading Missouri State athletes to use the athletics department's mental health services?

Freeman said many athletes using its mental health services are often thrown into the spotlight. Sometimes, that spotlight can lead to positive and negative targets on social media. He said there have been instances when Bears will use the school's mental health services when there's a need for support and assistance.

Freeman reminds everyone that athletes are also human beings. They experience life on the same spectrum and some have experienced depression and anxiety while also having relationship issues. Some need help getting used to the college setting, with some leaving their homes from hundreds and even thousands of miles away.

Some athletes even use Missouri State's mental health services to try and gain a competitive edge or talk about their performance in their sport. Freeman said it's not uncommon for an athlete to use the services to sit down and talk while trying to keep their focus on being a more successful athlete.

How Missouri State athletes can get help from the athletic department's mental health services

Freeman said most referrals go through an athlete's athletics trainer for their specific sport. Everything is done so confidentially. If there is a reason an athlete is not comfortable going through their athletic trainer, they can reach out to Freeman directly or go through their coach or strength and conditioning coach. Services are free for the athletes through the university and intercollegiate athletics.

Missouri State's athletic medical and rehabilitation services number is 417-836-5461. Freeman can be emailed at shawnfreeman@missouristate.edu.

What is suggested for Missouri State athletes facing an immediate crisis?

Every student-athlete who sits in Freeman's office is told that the 988 suicide and crisis hotline is something they should use if they're facing an immediate crisis. Anyone can call or text the number and someone will respond promptly. He also recommends the emergency room.

Burrell Behavioral Health also offers a 24/7 crisis center. It's a walk-in center that offers immediate psychiatric care, medication-assisted treatment for opioid use, psychiatric assessment, brief therapy, peer support services, 23-hour observation and referral to appropriate follow-up treatment and more.

"Every student-athlete who sits in here whether they're working on a personal issue or if they're in crisis or just wanting to talk about becoming a better athlete, I share that with them," Freeman said. "You never know when they or someone they care about or someone close to them is going to be in crisis and could use it.

"The main thing we do is just try to get these individuals to open up to someone, preferably a professional who's trained to provide support, but getting them to open up to someone. A lot of these individuals are reluctant to talk. They're afraid of stigmatization, afraid of how they're going to be perceived and so on.

"We want to offer them the message of hope. We can offer them the message 'hey, you don't have to go through this alone and there are people who care about you.' I'm a firm believer that if we can share those messages we have a better chance of being able to get through that situation and ultimately to a better place."