Sections

M-PACT gives student-athletes chance to help out

Michigan students are known for keeping busy schedules. Looking around any lecture hall, it is not hard to catch sight of students pulling out Franklin Planners to organize their lives.

Classes, meetings, appointments, even meals are recorded -- penciled in, though, just in case something else comes up.

While every student juggles obligations, some students on campus hardly have time to think of what their day holds, let alone write it down in an organized manner. A large chunk of their day is permanent, what most of us would consider a "penned-in" obligation.

Student-athletes at the University balance the same academic and social obligations as other students. However, add to the already short day, practice, training tables, travel and games.

A few student-athletes are pushing the limits of the 24-hour day. They are dedicating part of their time to a peer advising and community service program.

The Michigan Athletic Department and the University's Counseling and Psychological Services have combined their efforts to provide athletes an opportunity for involvement, while at the same time providing a valuable resource extending beyond those of the Athletic Department and the University.

"There was an unbelievable number of student-athletes who were involved in (Students Against Drunk Driving) and other programs in their high schools," Michigan Athletic Department special adviser Greg Harden said. "We realized there was no vehicle in college for those student- athletes. As we started to research it, we began to identify that these students were not atypical."

M-PACT (Michigan Peer Advisors Creating Trust) was developed to meet the unique needs of the University of Michigan.

"I was part of a peer-counseling group in high school and it was a big success," said golfer and M-PACT member Shannon McDonald. "I know the athletic community needs the support of other athletes. These programs are a good way to meet other people and learn from others."

The program took form last year when members of the Athletic Department and student-athletes attended a seminar in Palo Alto, Calif. The Apple Program conference provided models for developing a program specific to the needs of Wolverine student-athletes.

The resulting M-PACT program offers student-athletes two ways to become involved. The Peer Support Team has allowed students to develop their skills as peer advisors for other athletes. M-PACT Squads provide yet another avenue through which student-athletes can serve the athletic and general communities.

Program participants undergo a rigorous training process. All M-PACT members attended two basic-training sessions informing them of University resources, such as Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center. Members of the Peer Support Team have continued their training by attending frequent meetings on more specialized peer advising skills.

"In developing the Peer Support Program, we didn't want to limit (M-PACT) to alcohol and drug abuse," Counseling and Psychological Services staff member Vicki Hays said.

The Peer Support Team has worked on developing confidentiality and listening skills in a series of presentations by counseling professionals.

Student-athletes seeking help from the Peer Support Team can approach members for referrals or, if they feel more comfortable, call the team's voice mail.

"We've learned about signs of depression and the things we can do to help," said Peter Pusztai, a tennis player and member of the Peer Support Team. "We've learned how to be comforting and show respect."

The team has also become educated on the services offered by the University.

"We've had presentations from SAPAC, Career Planning and Placement and other campus organizations," Hays said. "If (the Peer Support Team) can't handle the student-athlete's problem, we can share our knowledge of University services with them. We are trying to extend services to a population that hasn't used them much in the past."

Though well trained, the peer advisers have yet to truly test their skills.

"We monitor the voice mail on a daily basis, but we really haven't had a response yet," Hays said. "We just think that the athletes still don't know a lot about our services. We hope that this will spread within the teams. We are still getting around to the teams, working on getting people involved."

Student involvement makes the program attractive to other athletes.

"It is easier to talk with (members of the Peer Support Team) because we are all athletes, so you are talking to people you have something in common with," Pusztai said.

Harden agreed that at the heart of the advising program is peer counseling.

"We have great administration and coaching available for these students, but (the administrators and coaches) really don't know what's going on (in the lives of the student athletes)," Harden said. "We hope those closest to the athletes, their peers, will add another layer of support."

Hays indicated that the Support Team members, though qualified, are not professionals.

"They are not counselors, but somebody who knows about what the other student-athletes are going through," Hays said.

The M-PACT Squads are focused on three themes. Student-athletes can participate in education, public service or publicity.

The specialized squads promote internal education among Michigan athletic teams, promoting M-PACT programs, Peer Support Team services and University resources.

Public service activities, such as reading to elementary school children and alcohol-free activities for University students, allow Squad members opportunities to create a positive image of Michigan athletics to the community.

The two-fold purpose of the M-PACT program is fulfilling the needs of busy student-athletes.

Despite a slow start to the program's pilot activities, both Harden and Hays predict M-PACT will make an impact on the lives of those involved and those the program can help.

As student-athletes have proven, time can be an enemy. And although they are especially pressed for time, student-athletes at the University find extra time to become involved.

"We knew we could trust the athletes that if we gave them a door, they would open the door and see the new landscape," Harden said. "It's just a matter of time. Over time, the student population will be aware of another resource, another layer of support, a safety net."

The Peer Support Team voice mail can be reached at 764-8200 or by e-mail at mpact-pst@umich.edu. Student-athletes wishing to apply for M-PACT should contact Greg Harden through the Athletic Department.