As we approach this year’s Deaflympics, the quadrennial event at which deaf athletes compete at an elite level, University of Western States faculty members Sarah Castillo, Ph.D., and Gily Meir, Ph.D., are helping lead an initiative focused on supporting the mental performance and well-being of the event’s deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. As faculty mentors, Dr. Castillo and Dr. Meir are working alongside UWS doctoral students to provide culturally competent, evidence-informed care that addresses the unique needs of athletes in Deaf sports.
What is your specific role as a mentor for the Deaflympics?
DR. MEIR: My role with the Deaflympics is twofold. First, I’m a member of the team that will provide support to the athletes and coaches preparing for and attending the games. Second, as a UWS faculty mentor and an approved mentor by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), I am also charged with assuring our students can develop their competence to become effective mental performance consultants while meeting the needs of the athletes and coaches.
DR. CASTILLO: My role is in a more behind-the-scenes capacity. I’m making sure all the administrative things, contacts, etc. on the UWS side are taken care of. I attend the meetings and keep abreast of how training is going.
What strategies or methods do you use to prepare students to work with athletes at the Deaflympics?
DR. MEIR: I work with students on developing competencies for working with all clients, including all members of the delegation representing the USA in the Deaflympics. I observe and provide feedback to students on their service delivery and execution of different techniques intended to enhance performance. I also work with them on developing content to be delivered to the athletes while accounting for relevant factors that can influence performance with this unique population.
Why is this an exciting opportunity for students in the Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP) programs?
DR. CASTILLO: What we’re doing here is unprecedented. Not only are students gaining the experience they need to move forward in their careers, but they’re doing it in a way that shows them how consulting work is developed and executed from the ground up. This population of athletes has never been able to take advantage of a dedicated team of performance consultants as part of their Deaflympic experience. SPP students and faculty have committed themselves to learning a new culture, new sports, and a new language in order to be available and effective in helping these elite athletes achieve their goals.
What do you hope the students will take away from their Deaflympics experience?
DR. CASTILLO: First and foremost, our students should recognize how much it takes to truly be “of service” in our profession. Our effectiveness as professionals depends not only on what we know but also on our humility, our willingness to learn, and our ability to prepare for the unique challenges faced by our clients. Those lessons might take years for most young consultants to learn, but our students are in the thick of them right now as they train. The benefit of that knowledge now and in the future is just immense.
DR. MEIR: One of the core values and missions of UWS is providing services and support to underserved populations. I am excited that our students have the opportunity to serve this population in such a meaningful fashion while also being able to experience the Deaflympics games being fully immersed in a Deaf environment.
What are some of the unique considerations when working with athletes who are deaf?
DR. MEIR: First and foremost, communication. As we are learning more about Deaf culture, it becomes very clear that deaf athletes are usually those who need to make the adjustments and invest much effort to communicate with hearing people in the world of sport. Working with the Mental Performance Team, we ensure that we, the consultants, are not putting the burden of clear communication and required adjustments on the athletes but on ourselves. I and all members of the team have started learning ASL, and while I do not anticipate I will be proficient in a year, I recognize that it is on us, the Mental Performance Team, to communicate with the athletes effectively and in a way that they can feel both comfortable and seen.
How has UWS supported you and the SPP students in this opportunity?
DR. MEIR: UWS has supported all learning opportunities for ASL that have been presented. Further, we get full support for the use of translators when communicating with deaf athletes and sports-related community members. This has permitted us to bring in many speakers from the Deaf community that help us prepare for this work and understand the unique needs of the Deaf population and how we can best support them.
DR. CASTILLO: I cannot say enough about how immediately and thoroughly supportive the entire university has been in this effort. University of Western States is truly committed to living its mission, and as we’ve moved deeper into the training and preparation, more and more of the UWS family has stepped up to support the effort. We’re so proud to have the opportunity to represent UWS and the SPP programs in this effort.