Athletes for Integrated Mental Health (AIM)

As part of OSU’s comprehensive sports medicine services, AIM focuses on supporting the unique mental health and performance needs of OSU student-athletes. Through confidential, specialized services, athletes gain the tools to manage competitive pressures and strengthen resilience, focus, and well-being—on and off the field.

Services

Mental Health Assessment and Screening Services
Comprehensive evaluations help identify mental health concerns that may affect the well-being, performance, or daily life of OSU student-athletes. Assessments may include screening for depression, anxiety, disordered eating, ADHD, substance use concerns and other behavioral health conditions.

Individual Mental Health Counseling
OSU student-athletes have access to one-on-one counseling with licensed psychologists and counselors in a confidential setting. Counseling may address concerns such as stress management, sleep challenges, identity development, injury recovery, performance pressures, and life transitions related to sport and academics.

Performance Psychology and Mental Skills Training
Performance-focused services help student-athletes strengthen the mental skills that support success in competition and beyond.

• Mental Skills for Performance – Practical strategies to build confidence, improve motivation, set goals, manage anxiety and pressure, and maintain focus during training and competition.
• Team Cohesion and Culture – Sessions designed to strengthen communication, trust, shared values, and a positive team environment that supports collective performance.
• Coach and Staff Development – Educational sessions that support coaches and staff in areas such as emotional intelligence, communication, and decision-making in high-performance environments.

Integrated Care with OSU Sports Medicine Providers
Behavioral health services are closely integrated with sports medicine to support the whole athlete. Mental health professionals collaborate with athletic trainers, physical therapists, and sports medicine physicians to ensure coordinated care, while maintaining strict safeguards to protect mental health confidentiality.

Group Counseling and Team Workshops
Group sessions and workshops provide opportunities for student-athletes to build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, strengthen team dynamics and learn from shared experiences with peers.

Psychiatric Services
OSU student-athletes have access to a board-certified psychiatrist for specialized mental health care, including:

• Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations
• Medication management and monitoring when appropriate
• Treatment for conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD and related concerns
• Collaboration with counseling providers, medical teams and support staff to ensure coordinated, athlete-centered care

Referral and Care Coordination
If specialized or longer-term care is needed, the AIM team helps coordinate referrals and next steps. This may include connecting OSU student-athletes with community mental health providers, specialized treatment programs, or other supportive resources.

Team Mental Health Liaison System

To improve access to care while protecting confidentiality, AIM utilizes a team mental health liaison model.
Each athletic team is assigned a designated mental health professional who serves as a consistent point of contact for the AIM program. While OSU student-athletes are free to schedule with any provider, the liaison helps coordinate care, provide education, and support early identification of mental health concerns within the team environment.

This approach allows OSU student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff to have a trusted connection to mental health support while maintaining OSU student-athlete autonomy and privacy.