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There is limited information available about the effects of mental health interventions in athletes. Therefore, in this paper we (1) elucidate reasons athletes underutilize mental health interventions and highlight the need to develop and implement optimization-focused interventions that are capable of engaging athletes into mental health and sport performance intervention, (2) underscore mental and behavioral health targets for optimization planning in athletes, and (3) introduce a mental health and sport performance optimization model that incorporates evidence-supported protocols developed explicitly for athletes. The theoretical underpinnings of this approach are grounded in optimization science, utilizing skill development to advance mental health and sport performance along a continuum of optimization (non-optimal to optimal). Future directions, including the involvement of professional and amateur sport organizations, are presented to assist development of optimization programs within their unique cultures., Evidence-supported behavioral treatment programs have been developed to improve mental health in non-athlete clinical populations (Barlow, 2014). However, as indicated in other specialized populations, athletes appear to be underutilizing these [...]

in the article, the authors consider the main directions of economic and social protection of persons with disabilities (disabled people, children), analyze the problems of socio-economic rehabilitation of low-mobility groups of the population, children, and suggest the main directions for optimizing economic policy in the field of support for particularly vulnerable citizens in difficult economic realities. Based on General theoretical methods of analysis and synthesis, generalization, citation, and axiomatic method, the authors conclude that if until now law enforcement practice has focused only on the principle of the best interests of the child, then in the new economic realities, the principle and the right of children to participate in decision-making on all issues that affect them should be of crucial importance. In this regard, the authors believe that in the sphere of social and economic protection of the rights of socially vulnerable citizens at the present stage, it is necessary to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in the field of prevention and suppression of violations of economic and social rights of the studied category of citizens, including the right to education, rehabilitation, economic support, which requires improvement of legal mechanisms that provide for a system of measures for the implementation of medical, vocational rehabilitation, secondary and higher professional education.

Athletes experience unique stressors that have been indicated to compromise their mental wellness and sport performance, yet they underutilize mental health services. Indeed, very few mental health interventions for athletes have been developed to fit sport culture, and well-controlled mental health outcome research in athlete populations is warranted. In this randomized controlled trial, a sport specific optimization approach to concurrent mental health and sport performance (The Optimum Performance Program in Sports; TOPPS) was examined. Seventy-four collegiate athletes (NCAA = 42; club = 11; intramural = 21) formally assessed formental health diagnostic severity were randomly assigned to TOPPS or campus counseling/ psychological services as usual (SAU) after baseline. Dependent measures assessed general mental health, mood, mental health factors affecting sport performance in training, competition and life outside of sports, days using substances, sexual risk behaviors, happiness in relationships, relationships affecting sport performance, and contributions of relationship to sport performance. Intent to treat repeated measures analyses indicated that participants in TOPPS consistently demonstrated better outcomes than SAU up to 8-months post-randomization and for mental health/ substance use measures, particularly when diagnostic criteria were most severe. Recommendations are provided in light of the results to assist sport-specific mental health intervention development and implementation within athlete populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recruitment of participants into treatment outcome studies is an important and often challenging aspect of human research. Yet, there have been very few controlled trials that have examined methods of recruiting participants into clinical trials, particularly in populations that may be reluctant to pursue mental health intervention, such as athletes. In this study, 79 NCAA Division I, Club, and Intramural student-athletes volunteered to participate in a study to determine their interest in participating in one of two goal-oriented programs representing two arms in a clinical trial. These programs were aimed at reducing substance abuse and sexually transmitted infections, and improving mental health, relationships, and sport performance. The participants were randomly assigned to Standard Recruitment (SR) or Recruitment Engagement (RE). RE included a review of the aforementioned outcome study and implementation of strategies that were developed to motivate participants to engage in treatment. The SR condition involved a review of the aforementioned treatment outcome study only. After the recruitment interventions were implemented, participants were queried to report any negative consequences that may have occurred from their use of illicit drugs or alcohol. Participants who reported negative consequences were invited to participate in baseline assessment of the aforementioned outcome study. Results indicated that 11 (25.0%) of the participants in the RE condition provided their consent to participate, 9 (20.5%) of whom subsequently completed baseline assessment; only 2 (5.7%) of the SR participants provided their study consent and subsequently participated in baseline assessment for the clinical trial (p < .05). After the respective recruitment intervention was implemented, participants were administered psychometrically validated instruments to assess their overall psychiatric functioning and the extent to which their sport performance was negatively impacted by dysfunctional thoughts and stress. Participants in RE were more likely to report greater dysfunctional thoughts and stress interfering with their sport performance (and, to a lesser extent, greater psychiatric problems) than SR participants, suggesting RE may influence greater disclosure of problem behavior than SR, permitting the interviewers opportunities to empathize with the participants' concerns. Results are discussed in light of their implications to treatment outcome research and clinical and counseling practice involving student-athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each year nearly three million individuals require inpatient hospitalization following a traumatic injury (e.g. gunshot wounds, injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions, burns) in the United States. Approximately 20–40% of these individuals go on to develop posttraumatic stress disorder and/or depression one-year post-hospitalization. Despite the high rate of psychological morbidity in this population, the vast majority of hospitals do not address the emotional or behavioral health needs of this population. The Trauma Resilience and Recovery Program, a technology-assisted stepped-care program, was developed to address these needs in one hospital system and to create a scalable model. Telepsychotherapy is a key part of this model due to the unique needs of this population, including trauma center catchment area and barriers due to physical injury. This manuscript describes the use of telepsychotherapy to deliver evidence-based interventions to traumatic injury patients across the lifespan, presents challenges created by the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as efforts to address these challenges, adaptations to our training model, and considerations for the use of telepsychotherapy in the age of COVID-19 and beyond. The goal is to present a model for remote screening and treatment of individuals that can be applied to other settings and populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance abuse in athletes is both prevalent and dangerous, leading to its international recognition as a public health concern. In recent controlled trials, behavioral prevention programs have been shown to reduce alcohol use in collegiate student athletes who are at-risk for alcohol abuse, with outcomes appearing to be enhanced when family members are prescriptively involved. However, no interventions have been found to decrease alcohol or drug use frequency in controlled trials involving athletes who have been diagnosed with substance abuse, and no prescribed clinical interventions for substance abuse have been tailored to accommodate the unique needs of competitive athletes. As an initial step in this development, we review an evidenced-supported behavioral treatment program modified for use with athletes. Optimizing the support of significant others, this innovative treatment approach comprehensively targets multiple areas of mental health while emphasizing cultural enlightenment. Recommendations are offered, including the great need for controlled treatment outcome research specific to substance abuse in athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]