The Social Worker's Role in Serving Vulnerable Athletes

Abstract

Athletes are a population group with unique vulnerabilities whose social work-related needs are often not met. Because of the perception that they are young and healthy, athletes are seen as free from mental health challenges and social problems. Yet athletes are at high risk for distress due to pressures to perform, avoid showing pain, hide physical injuries and substance abuse problems, eating disorders and burnout. At the same time, they may have false support systems that are interested in the athlete for social or monetary status. Social workers are broad systems practitioners who can focus on how the environment and other influences affect an athlete's mental health and well-being. Because social workers are strengths-based, they can assist athletes in achieving their highest level of functioning on and off the playing field.

Keywords::

• athletes
• sports
• vulnerabilities
• social systems
• professional domain

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Charlotte Dean

Charlotte Dean, MSW is a Graduate of Master of Social Work Program at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA. Address: Department of Social Work, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA. [E-mail: [email protected]]

Diana Rowan

Diana Rowan, PhD, MSW is an Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA. Address: Department of Social Work, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, USA. [E-mail: [email protected]]