DALLAS (SMU) – As part of its ongoing commitment to the total student-athlete experience and the health, safety and well-being of its almost 500 student-athletes, SMU Athletics today announced the promotion of Ellicia Money to Assistant Director of Athletic Mental Health.
"The health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes is our top priority," said Rick Hart, SMU's Director of Athletics. "Access to mental health and wellness resources is paramount in supporting the holistic development and success of our student-athletes. We are pleased that Ellicia will continue to serve our community in this elevated and expanded role."
As a follow-up to two
NCAA student-athlete well-being studies conducted in 2020, student-athletes continue to report elevated levels of mental health concerns. Data indicates rates of mental exhaustion, anxiety and depression have seen little change since fall 2020 and remain 1.5 to two times higher than identified before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Money has served as an Athletic Mental Health Counselor at SMU since 2021, conducting individual therapy sessions with SMU student-athletes, addressing such issues as depression and other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, sport related stressors, injury, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and substance abuse disorders. She consults with SMU's sports medicine staff, psychiatrist, dietitians, coaches, and parents when needed and creates and develops policies and procedures for mental health services for SMU student athletes.
From 2009 until her move to the Hilltop, Money was a Professional Counselor at Richland College in Dallas, providing counseling services and short-term crisis intervention to students. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Langston University and a Master's in Counseling and Development from Texas Woman's University, as well as numerous certifications. She will begin doctoral studies at SMU this fall.
While counseling services have been available for all SMU students through the
Dr. Bob Smith Health Center for some time, having mental health services tailored to the unique needs of student-athletes is critical.
"The experiences and challenges facing student-athletes are unique," said Money. "And while I don't want to oversimplify, if you don't feel good – mentally or physically – you are not going to be able to perform at your best in all facets of your collegiate experience. It's important for us to provide them with the resources they need to succeed. We want to remove any stigma surrounding seeking help."
As Scott Hamilton, a mental health clinical counselor at DePauw University said, "When college campuses are willing to have open conversations about the importance of mental health, taking care of yourself mentally can ease the apprehension of student-athletes seeking help."
