New rules came after recent disclosures by Cavaliers F Kevin Love and others about their mental health battlesNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The NBA last month adopted new mental health rules for its teams, and last week hosted a "mandatory health and wellness meeting for team executives and mental health and wellness providers in Chicago," according to Elijah Shama of CNBC.com. Formal requirements for all 30 teams were sent to add at least "one full-time licensed mental health professional" to their staff. Teams starting this season will also be required to "retain a licensed psychiatrist to assist when needed." They will also have to "have a 'written action plan' in the event of mental health emergencies." The new rules come after recent disclosures by Cavaliers F Kevin Love and other players "about their mental health battles." The new guidelines are the "most significant steps the NBA has taken in mental health." The NBPA in May '18 announced its own mental health and wellness program. Other leagues have also "begun to adopt measures to help their players deal with mental health issues." In May, the NFL and NFLPA "established a mental health and wellness committee as well as a joint pain management committee" (CNBC.com, 9/19).
