By Amy Blades Steward<\/p>\r\n
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Suicide is the third leading cause of death among student-athletes, ages 15 to 24, according to a blog by The Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers.\u00a0 The topic of suicide among athletes is garnering attention among coaches across the country. Forbes contributor, Bob Cook, writes<\/a>, \u201cToo many times, experts said, athletes try so hard to project an image of strength that their serious problems \u2014 from intimate partner violence to substance abuse \u2014 can go unaddressed.\u201d<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n The period of time between ages 15 and 24 is a time of transition. Young people are dealing with academic and social pressures, acquiring increasing independence and responsibility, and making decisions about important concrete directions in life. At the same time, they are subject to ongoing, changing psychological, and physical processes themselves. Access to significant supporting resources, such as a stable living situation, positive family connections, religious or spiritual connections, success at school, intimate friendships, personal goals, participation in art, sports, extracurricular activities, volunteering, or a part-time job; a structural framework, and economic resources can serve as buffers against the risk factors for suicide. Discussions have become more common about how mental health is tied into an athlete\u2019s physical status \u2013 for instance, whether they are injured or not.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n The Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers lists the following behaviors among athletes to take note of when determining risk for suicide, such as if a person:\u00a0<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n