Director of Mental Health

The University of Missouri Department of Athletics is seeking a Director of Mental Health. This position serves as the department’s senior leader overseeing the delivery of comprehensive, high-performance mental health and wellbeing services for all student-athletes within Mizzou Athletics. This position will be responsible for developing and executing a strategic vision for mental health care that reflects the demands of elite collegiate athletics, emphasizing proactive wellbeing, crisis management, and peak performance support.

The Director will lead a multidisciplinary mental health team and work collaboratively with the Chief Medical Officer, Sports Medicine, Sports Performance, Nutrition, and Academic Support to promote a holistic model of care. This individual will ensure that services align with best practices, NCAA and SEC standards, and the department’s commitment to student-athlete welfare and competitive excellence.
 

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Care and Case Management (40%)

• Provide direct clinical services to student-athletes, including psychological assessments, and treatment planning.

• Ensure timely and accurate documentation consistent with professional, legal, and university standards.

• Coordinate and oversee referral processes with campus and community mental health providers to ensure continuity and quality of care.

• Supervise and guide clinical staff and trainees providing mental health services within athletics.

Education, Prevention, and Performance Optimization (25%)

• Design and deliver education and prevention programs to build mental health literacy and resilience among student-athletes, coaches, and staff.

• Integrate performance psychology concepts to support mental preparation, focus, and recovery.

• Partner with coaches and support staff to develop team-based initiatives that promote positive mental health culture and early intervention.

Collaboration and Integration (20%)

• Serve as a core member of the Sports Medicine and Performance leadership team to align care across all areas of student-athlete health and performance.

• Lead case management discussions and participate in multidisciplinary meetings to address complex or high-acuity cases.

• Collaborate with campus mental health, medical, and wellness offices to ensure seamless integration of care and resources.

Administration, Compliance, and Leadership (10%)

• Develop, implement, and evaluate mental health policies, emergency response procedures, and best-practice protocols.

• Ensure compliance with NCAA, SEC, and institutional guidelines related to mental health and student-athlete wellbeing.

• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for the athletics mental health team.

• Manage program operations, including budgeting, staffing, and strategic planning initiatives.

Professional Development and Strategic Consultation (5%)

• Stay current with emerging research, legislation, and best practices in collegiate and sport-specific mental health.

• Advise the Chief Medical Officer, Director of Athletics, and senior leadership on policy development, staffing needs, and resource allocation to support student-athlete wellbeing.

• Represent Mizzou Athletics in conference, NCAA, and national forums on mental health in sports.