Recognizing the seriousness and risk to Maryland’s youth as it relates to student mental health, the Maryland General Assembly enacted legislation, effective July 1, 2024, to address the problem. The state law mandates that the State Department of Education develop guidelines for public schools who are members of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA), to train coaches in recognizing signs of mental illness and behavioral distress in students participating in athletic programs.

The MPSSAA Board of Control took action at their December 2024 meeting, approving the MPSSAA Medical Advisory Committee recommendation for a new course outline.  The new care and prevention course outline highlights Coaches Mental Health Training as an individual educational component.

Additionally, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has released a Mental Health Training Course on NFHSlearn.  This course addresses the requirements of the bill while also providing a framework for coaches to understand why they are uniquely positioned to recognize signs of behavioral or mental distress and can provide support for directing students to appropriate local educational agency resources in supporting the student-athlete.

RESOURCES:

Mental Health Training for Interscholastic Coaches Guidance

Legislative Requirements (Chapter 733)

Care & Prevention Course Outline

NFHS Mental Health Course