USA Gymnastics Adds Mental Health Visits to National Team Program
Program is funded in part through USAG’s new partnership with GK Elite
Posted On: October 10, 2022 By :USA Gymnastics will cover costs for regular visits to mental health providers for national team athletes and coaches under a new athlete health and wellness program.
The program is funded in part through USA Gymnastics’ new partnership with GK Elite, which specifically earmarked support for mental health services. GK Elite is the official USA Gymnastics national team competition and training apparel partner through 2024.
“Athlete health and wellness is at the core of our value system, and the importance of mental health has been paramount not just for athletes but for everyone in recent years,” USA Gymnastics Chief Executive Officer Li Li Leung said. “Being able to fund services that athletes and their coaches can receive in their hometowns, by their preferred providers, is essential for wellbeing and something we have always wanted to do. We thank GK for providing the additional funding that has enabled us to make this program a reality.”
Each national team athlete in all disciplines will receive up to eight mental health visits per year, reimbursed by USA Gymnastics up to $125 per visit. Coaches are eligible for up to four visits per year.
“GK Elite’s dedication to improving the lives of our athletes is a core foundation of our brand.” said Matt Cowan, president of GK Elite. “As we continue our longstanding partnership with USA Gymnastics, it is both an honor and a duty to help fund and support mental health services to National Team athletes and coaches.”
The mental health visits add to the existing athlete mental health support system USA Gymnastics has built over the past three years, which includes a mental health emergency action plan in place for every national team camp and competitive event, an onsite mental health provider at nearly all artistic gymnastics national team camps, and mental health webinars and in-person education provided to athletes.
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