INDIANAPOLIS, IN (November 21, 2018) —Addressing the realities of physical and psychological wellness, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has developed “Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention” – a free online education course available on the NFHS Learning Center at www.NFHSLearn.com.

Stress, anxiety and depression create challenges for many individuals, including interscholastic student-athletes, and severe conditions can lead to suicide.

Through the “Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention” course, answers are provided to numerous questions that students – as well as peers or any guardian responsible for the care and well-being of a student – may face in these situations.

“It is critically important that we all understand the many factors that impact our mental health,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services. “The goal of this course is to promote overall wellness, including mental health, while also learning how to recognize the signs and symptoms of individuals struggling with their mental health.”

“Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention” features a seven-section course outline that includes information on wellness, student mental health, stress and anxiety, depression and suicide prevention. However, the course goes beyond highlighting the causes of mental health problems and the strategies associated with recovery thanks to its helpful resources.

A total of 64 courses are offered through the NFHS Learning Center, including 30 available free of charge. In addition to “Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention,” other popular free courses are “Concussion in Sports,” “Heat Illness Prevention,” “Sportsmanship,” “Sudden Cardiac Arrest,” and “Bullying, Hazing and Inappropriate Behaviors.”

“Creating awareness and educating the interscholastic community about important health and safety topics continues to be a priority for the NFHS Learning Center,” Schuster said. “The hope is that this course and others will create a better experience for the growing number of participants within interscholastic programs.”

In addition to 16 sport-specific courses for coaches, the Learning Center offers eight sport-specific officiating courses, as well as “Teaching Sports Skills” and “AACCA Spirit Safety Certification.”  Since its founding in 2007, the NFHS Learning Center has delivered more than 7.8 million online education courses.

This press release was written by Cody Porter, a graphic arts/communications assistant in the NFHS Publications/Communications Department.

# # #

About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 16 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,500 high schools and 12 million participants in high school activity programs, including almost 8 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bruce Howard, 317-972-6900
Director of Publications and Communications
National Federation of State High School Associations
bhoward@nfhs.org

Chris Boone, 317-972-6900
Assistant Director of Publications and Communications
National Federation of State High School Associations
cboone@nfhs.org