Run Farther and Faster
Lager
Dr. Lager was one of the speakers at the 10-year "Runiversary" of Run Farther and Faster, a running organization in northern Virginia. The event, which was held in February 2020, provided education, resources, and support to distance runners. Dr. Lager spoke on mental strategies for runners to implement to get the most out of their race.
Resources
For athletes, coaches, parents, and those interested in improving mental performance and overall well-being.
General Resources
NCAA- Moving On!
This program is a physical activity transition program for student athletes post- retirement. The core of this program focuses on small group exploration of the athlete’s identity, education on the process of transition and how to prepare for its challenges, and exposure to lifelong physical activities and other educational materials.
NCAA After the Game
This former student-athlete experience supports a large community of former athletes through career-development, networking, and engagement with other athletes. Additional resources such as guidance on maintaining health after athletics and stories from other members are available to student-athlete members.
United States Olympic Committee- Athlete Career Education Program (ACE)
As part of the USOC, ACE is a program available to former Team USA athletes looking for support post-retirement. From support through transitions, to career counseling, tuition support and scholarships, and mentorship, ACE is there to help former elite athletes in their transition out of sport.
Support for Sport
Career workshop for former student-athletes to help identify the skills they’ve learned through their sport experience and how to transfer them to the workforce. The focus of this workshop includes leadership, communication, problem solving skills, and organization.
Athlete 365
This program operates through the IOC and has available programs for athletes in career and financial counseling.
Resources for Veterans
After the Impact- Veterans and Legends
This residential treatment facility is available to former professional athletes and veterans who are seeking assistance with behavioral and mental health, PTSD, TBI, addiction, and preventative health.
Merging Vets & Players
MVP aims to bring together a family of support for veterans and former professional athletes to help them in their time of transition to retirement. A 30-minute group workout kicks of the weekly meeting, which is followed by an hour and fifteen minute long support group session (“the huddle”) where stories are shared amongst group members to help empower members to be “proud of their scars.”
Professional Athletes Foundation
This support organization provides former athletes with a variety of resources to aid in any challenges they face post-retirement and helps create opportunities for their members. They provide assistance with finances, education, addiction, mental and physical health, family counseling, and more.
Resources for Mental Health
National Alliance on Mental Illness
This resource helps individuals seeking mental health services find NAMI affiliate practitioners and programs available in their area.
National Athletic Trainers Association
NATA provides many resources for those seeking information on mental health services. They link various resources, articles, and treatment information to help people find the appropriate help they are seeking. They also include educational material to help identify signs of mental health concerns.
This site provides information, education, and ways to find treatment of mental health disorders from those who are in need. With information from the National Institute on Mental Health, CDC, and more, this organization has several resources available for those who are seeking help.
National Institute on Mental Health
From information on mental health, outreach, research, funding, and more, the NIMH is a leading federal agency for research on mental disorders. There are several institutes around the country, along with various resources available for those seeking mental health services.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
SAMHSA helps individuals find treatment for various concerns, such as suicidal ideation, addiction, and other behavioral and mental health disorders.
Resources for Concussion and TBI
This foundation funds a large portion of the research done on concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), as well as education for athletes to help identify the signs of concussion and CTE, and has advocacy programs that focus on concussion prevention through changes in the rules of sports that have a high prevalence of concussions.
This program provides research based treatment for sports concussion for athletes of all ages. From diagnosis to treatment, they aim to reduce the effects and prevalence of concussion in sports.
This research center conducts research on the prevention, risk factors, detection methods, and treatment of CTEs.
A branch of WETA, this site provides education on the risks, prevention, and symptoms of concussion and TBI. There are included resources for those seeking treatment, including and list of facilities and a directory for each state.
Resources for Suicide Prevention
This resource provides free and confidential consultation for individuals in distress and for prevention of suicide. This lifeline is a 24-hour support for those in emotional crisis or struggling with suicidal ideation.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
This organization has educational material, handbooks, reports and other material developed by mental health professionals and other suicide prevention organizations available for those seeking information. This site also helps individuals find screening programs and treatment facilities and providers for those looking for mental health providers.
National Athletic Trainers Association-Suicide Prevention
This suicide awareness resource helps individuals identify the signs of suicidal ideation and other mental health concerns.