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Section XI News

NYSPHSAA Section XI Mental Health Awareness Week

Throughout NYSPHSAA/Section XI Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ll share tips, tidbits and notes on this page and social media.

*This week is all about raising awareness of mental health in the realm of interscholastic athletics. Even student-athletes can be affected by mental illness. Remember, you are not alone.

*Establishing and maintaining healthy relationships can make us feel happier, physically healthier, and improve our wellbeing. Here are some tips to do just that!

*Recognizing someone struggling with mental health issues isn’t a straightforward science. If you notice someone is having a rough day, reach out with a text or phone call letting them know how much they mean to you.

Section XI News

Section XI Supports NYSPHSAA Mental Health Awareness Week

During the week of May 2-May 6, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) is launching its 3rd Annual Mental Health Awareness Week, a campaign to raise awareness of mental health in the realm of interscholastic athletics.

The goal of the initiative is to encourage schools to provide training to athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes to help them learn how to identify signs and symptoms of mental illness, break the stigma associated with it, and provide resources to those who need them.

According to the Mental Health Association of New York State (MHANYS), “Mental health awareness helps everyone to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and ease people into the process of seeking aid for themselves or others. Confiding in a peer, trusted adult, or professional is extremely beneficial because 60-90% of those who receive treatment experience positive outcomes.”

How to Participate:

  • Follow NYSPHSAA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and share NYSPHSAA’s posts throughout the day.
  • Post your own school’s content by showcasing current student-athletes/coaches/administrator’s personal healthy habits. Always use the hashtags #NYSPHSAA and #YouMatterNY.
  • Encourage coaches or student-athletes to post videos on social media stating a statistic or why it is important for students/coaches to learn about mental health.
  • Feel free to use the social media posts provided in toolkit and always use the hashtags #NYSPHSAA and #YouMatterNY.
  • Email coaches sample email provided within toolkit.
  • Suggest coaches and student-athletes to take the NFHS Student Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Course (Free)
Section XI News

NYSPHSAA Places Moratorium on Prohibition of Hair Adornments

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) Officers have unanimously voted in favor of placing a moratorium upon the prohibition of hair adornments until its member schools can adequately address this topic and concerns.
As a results of the Officers’ decision, the following will be added to the NYSPHSAA Jewelry Rule:
“Hair adornments, including beads, may be worn provided they are secured and do not present a safety hazard to the player, teammates or opponent.”
It should be noted, Officers of the NYSPHSAA may make decisions on emergency matters, per the NYSPHSAA Constitution (Article IV. 2) which states:
“A committee of officers in consultation with the staff shall have the authority to act on all  matters not provided for in this constitution and bylaws, and on such emergency business as may arise between regular meetings of the Executive Committee.”
“Our Association has given the topic a significant amount of attention the past four months as a result of concerns brought to us by the membership,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “As a membership-led organization, it is important to listen to the concerns of our schools and take action to ensure student-athletes are able to participate in a beneficial manner while the membership fully examines this rule.”
The NYSPHSAA Jewelry Rule, which has been in place for more than two decades, prohibits jewelry and only permits hair restraints that control a competitor’s hair. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has already amended several national sport rules to allow hair adornments to be worn.
“In consultation with NYSPHSAA’s legal counsel, NYSPHSAA’s Executive Director and following the NFHS direction on hair adornments, we felt it was most appropriate to make this decision today on behalf of student-athletes,” said Julie Bergman, NYSPHSAA President.