Facilitate a conversation -- start talking

Watch to see how Anna started the process of making a mental health referral.
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Facilitate a conversation -- start talking

Discussing mental health and substance abuse issues can be difficult.

Anna took the right approach by:

• Extending her knowledge about how to Facilitate a conversation (discussing options with Staci)
• talking to Ashleigh directly
• sharing the story about teammates who had been through a tough time
• encouraging Ashleigh to seek help because opiate abuse can become a serious problem

Evaluate and Revise and revisit

Student-athletes with substance abuse problems may say nothing is wrong or may be embarrassed about the conversation. You may feel uncomfortable, but don’t let that deter you. An initial discussion may not result in immediate change, but the person may choose to act at a later stage or continue the conversation with others. Evaluate the conversation and considering revising and revisiting the topic in the future. Your actions make a difference.

Anna: Do you have a minute?
Staci: Sure. What’s up?
Anna: I was talking to my friend the other day and she mentioned something about Oxycontin and I also know that people on campus are selling Oxycontin to swimmers who are addicted.
Staci: Really? Do you think you should tell coach?
Anna: I don’t know. I really don’t want to get her in trouble and plus, I don’t even know if she is addicted.
Staci: I know what you mean about getting her in trouble. It probably would be better to just talk to her.
Anna: I know, but I don’t even know what I would say and I don’t even know if she is addicted.
Staci: Well, I know the counseling center has some really good resources for student-athletes. Maybe you could let her know about that.
Anna: That’s a really good idea. I could tell her that when she told me about the Oxycontin thing, and that she was using it, that it reminded me of one of my friends on my club team that had a problem and went to the counseling center and got help.
Staci: Right. The conversation might feel kind of weird but you’re really doing her a favor and you’re helping the team out, too.
Anna: That’s a really good idea. I’m going to do that now, while I still have the courage.
Staci: Yeah, go do that.
Anna: Thank you.

Anna: You swam great this weekend. It looked like you were back to your old self.
Ashleigh: Yeah, I love swimming at the meets, but afterwards, my shoulder just gets really bad.
Anna: Did the Oxycontin help with that?
Ashleigh: Yeah, why do you ask that?
Anna: I'm not really sure if I should tell you this.
Ashleigh: Tell me what?
Anna: Well, I heard that people are buying Oxycontin for swimmers on campus who are addicted.
Ashleigh: Who told you that?
Anna: It doesn't matter. But one of my friends in my club's team got really addicted once, and it was so tough for her.
Ashleigh: I'm not addicted.
Anna: Maybe not, but if it ever does become a problem, I have the number that helped her. There are counseling centers, and help lines that helped her and I can give you the number.
Ashleigh: I don't think I'm going to need that.
Anna: All right. Well, I'll text it to you later just in case. It’s better to have it than to not have it because if you ever have a problem or if one of your friends has a problem, at least you have the number that will help you. She used it, got better, got back in the pool, and was swimming faster than ever.
Ashleigh: Good for her.
Anna: I'll text it to you later, just in case.
Ashleigh: Okay, thanks.
Anna: No problem. I really hope you're not mad at me for talking about this.
Ashleigh: I'm not mad, but it is awkward.
Anna: I know. It’s just 'cause I care about you though.
Anna: I'll see you tomorrow.
Ashleigh: Same time, same place.
Anna: Yeah.

Anna and Ashleigh - Transcript