VCU partners with virtual mental health resource for athletes

Jenny Allen, Staff Writer

VCU Athletics is partnering with Mindflow, a mental health resource to support student-athletes and coaches, the division announced earlier this month.

Mindflow offers one-on-one services for players and coaches, as well as online physical training advice, webinars, on-demand telehealth and meditation sessions. Out of over 50 licensed psychologists, roughly 70% are former collegiate athletes, allowing Mindflow to play a significant role in supporting mental health for VCU athletics.

Mindflow is a relatively new company, but is quickly building a strong reputation in the collegiate athletic world. In a recent survey conducted by Mindflow, 100% of polled member organizations agreed that since using the service their mental wellbeing improved overall. 

VCU has over 350 student-athletes and is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. Players and coaches have high standards playing in Division I, so both physical and mental performance are crucial. 

Talking to someone who has experienced similar feelings and experiences will provide students with a customizable and beneficial perspective on the pressures that come with being a student-athlete, according to Jihad Aziz, the director of VCU Athletics Psychological Services.

“I think they really sort-of come from a perspective where they can see the humanness in the individual athlete and also appreciate the struggles with being an athlete,” Aziz said. 

Around 90% of athletic directors believe their institution does not offer enough mental health counseling for players and coaches, according to a 2022 study done by National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. 

As of December 2023, up to 44% of female student-athletes and 17% of male student-athletes reported symptoms of feeling overwhelmed daily. Only around 50% felt they would be comfortable seeking assistance from a mental health provider on campus.

“I think VCU does an extraordinary job offering mental health support,” Aziz said. “VCU has made an investment and commitment to it and I think athletes benefit from having that resource.” 

VCU’s academic and athletic mission is to invest in student success, both professionally and personally, according to Aziz. The Mindflow partnership gives the athletic department the resources to care for its college athletes and their experiences. 

Physical exhaustion can have a major impact on mental health, according to Aziz. When an athlete is physically strained, it has an effect on focus and overall well-being, ultimately causing repercussions to athletic performance. 

Working alongside VCU’s in-person trainers, Mindflow is using the advancements of technology to pave student-athletes’ road to recovery, Aziz said. 

“There are also a number of resources on their website around sort of mindfulness and visualization and ways to improve, which can carry over not only to athletics and academics, but also further on in life,” Aziz said.