Mental health perspectives on nonsuicidal self-injury and suicidality among intramural, club, and varsity women college athletes

Objective: This study explores rates and correlates of NSSI and suicidality of women college athletes, taking into consideration sport competition level (i.e., intramural, club, varsity). Participants: Data were drawn from self-identified women college athletes (n = 8,842) who participated in the Healthy Minds Study. Methods: Mental health correlates of NSSI and suicidality were assessed with logistic regression. Results: Approximately 19%-24% of the women college athlete sample reported past-year engagement in NSSI; 8%-10% reported suicidal ideation; 3%-4% reported suicidal planning; and 0.8%-1% reported attempted suicide. Rates of NSSI and suicidal ideation were relatively higher for club sports women college athletes. Clinical mental health concerns, substance use concerns, positive mental health, and interpersonal concerns were correlates of NSSI and suicidality, with variations observed across competition level. Conclusions: Findings spotlight the urgency to intervene in NSSI and suicidality among women college athletes while being informed of demographic, sport, and mental health risk factors.