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DENVER, CO - The House Health and Human Services Committee yesterday passed legislation to require youth coaches to receive training on the mental health risks from concussions, including depression, anxiety and suicide.
“Many parents and coaches are aware of the physical symptoms of a concussion, but do not usually seek treatment for mental health risks,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “This bill adds to training for youth coaches so they’re informed about the mental health risks from a concussion sustained by a youth athlete, including anxiety and depression. We’re stepping up to keep our student athletes safe by updating training requirements and spreading awareness to athletes' parents and the community.”
SB26-060 is also sponsored by Representative Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, and passed committee by a vote of 11-2. This bill, also known as the Alyssa Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act, would help keep student athletes safe by informing coaches and parents of the mental health risks of concussions. The bill also requires youth coaches to receive training on broader mental health issues, including wellness plans and the impact that coaches can have on students.
Under current law, youth athletic coaches must complete a concussion recognition course and remove an athlete from play if they suspect the athlete has a concussion. This bill expands the training to include more information on the relationship between concussions and mental health for coaches at middle, junior and high schools. The general concussion course applies to youth coaches at public and private middle schools, high schools, clubs, leagues and recreation facilities.
Additionally, this bill requires coaches to inform parents or guardians of athletes who sustain a concussion of possible changes in their mental health as a result of the concussion. Under current law, if a student is removed from play due to a suspected concussion, their parents or guardians must be informed and coaches must advise that the athlete seek an evaluation from a licensed healthcare provider.
Mental health impacts of a concussion include mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal ideation.
Alyssa Peterson, an Arvada student-athlete, died by suicide at age 13 after she suffered from multiple concussions. Her parents were unaware of the mental health impacts of a concussion.