Mental Health Data and Research

Collecting and analyzing data, and then using those data to make informed decisions, is central to what we do at the Sport Science Institute. We work closely with NCAA research staff in support of efforts that promote a safe and healthy environment for college athletes competing in all sports.

Located on this page are data and research related to the mental health and well-being of college athletes.

American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment

Using data from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment IIc (ACHA- NCHA IIc), NCAA research has examined the self-reported mental health concerns of NCAA student-athletes in comparison with their nonathlete peers. In collaboration with the ACHA, the sample is limited to participants from NCAA-member institutions and then further restricted to full-time undergraduate students, ages 18-24. The most recent NCAA-member sample contained 106,374 nonathletes and 9,057 self-identified varsity athletes.

NCAA Collegiate Wagering Study

The NCAA has had bylaws restricting sports wagering for many years because leaders in college athletics consistently and steadfastly believe that sports wagering not only threatens the integrity of the game but also is an entry point into other behaviors that may compromise student-athlete health and well-being. The NCAA Collegiate Wagering Study surveys college athletes about their attitudes toward and engagement in various gambling activities, including sports wagering.

NCAA GOALS Study

The GOALS Survey is a quadrennial, NCAA study of the experiences and well-being of current college athletes. It provides the SSI and the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport, as well as NCAA committees, policymakers and member schools, with the most detailed information to date on a range of important issues. Those include the health and well-being, athletics, academics and social experience of college student-athletes.

NCAA Social Environments Study

The NCAA Social Environments Study is designed to examine how student-athletes interact with various on-campus and community groups; the level of comfort and trust within the campus community; perceived ability to intervene when teammates and peers need help; and expectations/education provided by coaches and others in dealing with various issues that arise in a student-athlete’s social environment.

NCAA Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Study

The NCAA Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Study is a national study of college student-athletes that examines various topics including student-athlete mental health concerns and peer support, sleep behaviors, attitudes toward weight and body image, nutrition, competition and injury history, and substance use experiences. Administered during the 2022-23 academic year, this comprehensive study subsumes many of the survey items from the NCAA Substance Use Study and incorporates a range of health and wellness items previously used in other NCAA studies (e.g., NCAA GOALS, Social Environments, Well-Being).

NCAA Student-Athlete Substance Use Study

The NCAA Student-Athlete Substance Use Survey is a quadrennial survey that collects data on the substance use patterns of college athletes. It helps inform the SSI, the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport and NCAA policymakers with current and historical information concerning levels of student-athlete drug and alcohol use. The information includes matters such as why student-athletes do or do not use specific substances, when they started to use drugs and their attitudes regarding drug use and drug testing.

NCAA Student-Athlete Well-Being Study

The NCAA Student-Athlete Well-Being Study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental well-being of student-athletes during spring 2020, fall 2020 and fall 2021. NCAA Research collaborated with the NCAA Sport Science Institute and the NCAA’s Division I, II and III Student-Athlete Advisory Committees to design and distribute the surveys to student-athletes spanning three divisions, all sports and athletics conferences. The three surveys generated over 70,000 student-athlete responses.

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