LIFE SKILLS--- OFF THE FIELD
The purpose of this dimension of the framework is to provide a means for organizational leadership to consider how they may want to organize and deliver programs and services that have to do with the mental and emotional development of players—off the field--- at all levels of their organization.
In particular, life skills programming is meant to help assure that effective transition process of players who are moving into new environments,
Thus, the thrust of this dimension is to help structure the provision of programs and services to players so that they can become consistent in the following ways:
• Cope effectively with risks that they will encounter in home and community
settings including people, places, and things that could derail their careers.
• Make healthy choices about nutrition and living arrangements
• Learn about the use and consequences of a range of substance such as alcohol,
drugs of abuse, and performance enhancing substances.
• Be functionally proficient at verbal and written expression.
• Learn to adapt to new environments.
The professionals who function in the life skills area need to be individuals who are qualified to deal with the above areas.
These individuals, therefore, may include mental skills coaches and behavioral health counselors, with appropriate expertise, but also contracted consultants such as law enforcement officers, nutritionists, and sex educators.
The life skills programs and services can be provided may include:
• Seminars on domestic violence
• Substance use education
• Nutritional counseling
• English as a second language program
• Cultural transition
• Healthy relationships
• Harassment and hazing
• Financial management
• Learning how to learn
• Other
MENTAL HEALTH --- OVERALL
The purpose of this dimension is to allow for the provision of psychological intervention programs and treatment services so that players and staff can function effectively, overall, with the range of demands of playing professional baseball.
The individuals who provide mental health services are likely to be licensed mental health professionals as well as other licensed health care providers to which referrals are made.
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