Full Breakdown
Survey Finds Nearly 40% of College Athletes Have Contemplated Suicide and Calls for Mandatory Prevention Training
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
Researchers from the University of Mississippi and Rutgers University conducted a survey of 78 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes from Division I, II and III schools. Prior investigations have identified suicide as the second-leading cause of death among NCAA athletes, and high-profile cases such as Madison Holleran (University of Pennsylvania, 2014) and Katie Meyer (Stanford University, 2022) have drawn media attention to the issue. The new study, published in *Behavioral Sciences*, is the first to ask athletes directly whether the NCAA should require mental-health and suicide-prevention training.
Data & Statistics
- 40% of respondents reported having experienced suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives.
- Only 36% indicated they had received any suicide-prevention training while in college.
- 86% said the NCAA should mandate mental-health services and suicide-prevention training for all athletes.
- When seeking support, 47% turned to teammates and 41% to parents or guardians rather than professional counselors.
Official Statements & Responses
Lead researcher Allison “Allie” Bond, an assistant professor of urban-global public health at Rutgers, emphasized that athletes are “struggling” and “want resources,” warning that failure to provide them constitutes a systemic shortfall for clinicians, researchers, and communities. Taylor Rodriguez, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Mississippi, noted that the desire for training likely stems from personal experiences with suicidal thoughts and a lack of adequate information. Both researchers argue that one-time trainings are insufficient; they advocate for cultural change within athletic departments to embed ongoing mental-well-being support.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We all feel more comfortable talking to people who walk a similar path in life, so we can understand that,” — Allie Bond
- “Our results show that athletes want more widespread information on suicide and mental health, and most haven't gotten that in college,” — Taylor Rodriguez, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Mississippi
- “A wide receiver misses a pass, someone loses money and suddenly that student is getting bashed on Instagram,” — Allie Bond
- “Student-athletes want and need more suicide prevention information while in college," Rodriguez said.” — Taylor Rodriguez, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Mississippi
These statements underscore the athletes’ preference for peer-based support and the perceived need for comprehensive, continuous education on suicide prevention within collegiate sports programs.