Heads Up! Using a Mobile Platform for Division II Student-Athlete Mental Health Screening

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to screen for mental and behavioral health risk of Division II collegiate student athletes using a novel online screening tool (i.e., Heads Up Checkup) via the Sharpen mobile platform and learn the practicality of using such a tool. Collegiate student athletes (n = 367) were recruited to complete the Heads Up Checkup mental and behavioral health screening through the Sharpen mobile application. A total of 338 out of 367 possible collegiate student athletes completed the screening for a participation rate of 92.09%. Participants self-reported mental and behavioral health symptoms, including risk and criteria for 26 ICD-10 disorders. Across the sample, 17.1% of participants (n = 63) met at least 50% of the criteria for at least one diagnosis, 18.8% of participants (n = 69) met 70–99% of diagnostic criteria for at least one diagnosis, and 15.5% of participants (n = 57) met 100% of diagnostic criteria for at least one ICD-10 diagnosis. Although the Heads Up Checkup cannot diagnose disorders, it can be a valuable screening tool to assist coaches, trainers, clinicians, and athletic staff to collaboratively care for collegiate student athletes.