Mental Health Needs And Service Access For Black College Athletes: Mixed Methods Insights

College athletes’ mental health is a growing concern, with the NCAA emphasizing mental health support across universities. However, access remains inequitable, especially at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), where funding often limits resources. HBCUs athletes are underrepresented in mental health research, a gap this study addresses. PURPOSE: To examine the mental health status, perceptions, and barriers to services among HBCUs student-athletes. METHODS: Using a convergent mixed methods design, mental health status and experiences were assessed among 205 student-athletes (Mage = 22.36 ± 3.54; 59% female, 59% Black/African American, 74% first-generation college, 62% in team sports) across six southeastern HBCUs. Qualitative insights from interviews with 16 athletes were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Findings indicated 59% of HBCUs athletes at risk for clinical depression and 51% for mild to severe anxiety, with 53% reporting no prior mental health support. Athletes with mental health service experience had significantly lower depression and anxiety (ts = 2.65 to 4.11, p < .001, ds = 0.37 to 0.57). Logistic regression showed a 46% reduction in depression symptoms (OR = 0.54; 95% CI [.30, .94], p < .05) and a 54% reduction in anxiety (OR = 0.46; 95% CI [.26, .81], p < .01) among athletes with mental health service experience. Qualitative findings identified four themes: the critical role of social support, unmet mental health needs and access barriers, resource and institutional gaps, and the pressures of balancing academic and athletic demands. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals significant mental health challenges among HBCUs student-athletes, marked by high rates of depression and anxiety and limited access to mental health services. These findings emphasize persistent service disparities and underscore the urgent need for targeted, culturally responsive support systems within HBCUs to better support their student-athletes. Supported by: Funded by the 2022 and 2023 Association for Applied Sport Psychology Seed Grant.