The NCAA and its Sport Science Institute support member schools in their effort to make mental and physical health care accessible for all student-athletes, as well as to create a culture where seeking care for mental health is as normal as seeking care for physical health. 

Member schools have enshrined in the NCAA Constitution their commitment to facilitating an environment that reinforces physical and mental health within athletics by ensuring access to appropriate resources and open engagement with respect to physical and mental health.

What guidance is available on mental health?

Mental health is of great importance on campuses across the country. While an NCAA study of more than 23,000 student-athletes conducted during the 2022-23 school year shows mental health symptoms for student-athletes generally have improved since 2020, they are still at relatively high levels.

In early 2024, the NCAA released an updated Mental Health Best Practices document. The best practices, developed by the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports, reflect a consensus of the Mental Health Advisory Group, which includes representatives from science, medicine, sports medicine organizations and the NCAA membership. Under the NCAA constitution adopted in January 2022, each member school — regardless of division — must facilitate an environment that reinforces physical and mental health within athletics by ensuring access to appropriate resources and open engagement with respect to physical and mental health. As part of its holistic student-athlete model, Division I is requiring schools to attest to providing services and support consistent with the best practices beginning Aug. 1, 2024. The first attestation deadline is November 2025.

Find more information, educational resources, and mental health data and research on the Mental Health Resources page.