Mental Health Assistance Fund

The USOPC Mental Health Assistance Fund (MHAF) was established to address gaps in mental health coverage that result in financial burden for Team USA athletes. The fund directs financial gifts from USOPC mental health ambassadors to close these gaps by financially supporting the mental health of our athletes. Athletes may seek reimbursement for eligible mental health costs, including treatment, copays and deductibles, prescription medication costs, travel and accommodations, and more.

Criteria for eligibility of the MHAF are:

• All existing EAHI, NM, NGB, and USOPC mental health resources have been accessed and exhausted or deemed inappropriate.

• In the past two years, the athlete was selected to represent the United States in an Olympic or Paralympic Game.

• In the past two years, the athlete was selected to represent the United States in a World championship or Op Gold Event.

• In the past two years, the athlete was selected to represent the United States in Pan American or Parapan American Games.

• In the past two years, the athlete was selected to represent the United States in an International Qualifying Competition as identified by the National Governing Body pathway to a Delegation Event (as determined by PPA and published).

• In the past two years, the athlete was world ranked, top 20, by the end of season or a date as defined by National Governing Body (as determined by PPA and published).

The USOPC reserves the right to exceptions to these eligibility requirements in its sole discretion.

Athlete mental health expenses eligible to be covered by the MHAF include:

• Payment for mental health services and/or treatment

• Deductibles and copayments for mental health services and/or treatment

• Psychiatric prescription medications

• Mental health-related travel and accommodations

Treatment and/or services must be rendered by a licensed mental health provider.

Athlete mental health expenses not eligible to be covered by the MHAF include:

• More than one therapy session in a week

• More than one therapist for mental health services

• Payment for mental performance services

• Reimbursements and/or invoices from previous calendar years

Each athlete is eligible for approval for a maximum of $10,000 per year for eligible mental health expenses while the funds exists. Payment through the MHAF can only reimburse expenses that have already been paid by the athlete. During the fourth financial quarter of each year, a review of the MHAF budget and any outstanding claims will be performed. Athletes with claims that were not fully paid by the MHAF may receive additional reimbursement if resources are available.

Athletes may apply for financial assistance through the Mental Health Assistance Fund by filling out the online application.

When applying, athletes will submit qualifying mental health expenses and information related to the claim (e.g. receipts, medical records, etc.). USOPC Psychological Services will evaluate the athlete's application and notify them of their application status and next steps.

Questions may be directed to USOPC Psychological Services at psychological.services@usopc.org or (719) 866-2388.

Athletes with qualifying mental health expenses will submit their claim to the USOPC psychological services (PS) coordinator. They will collect all information regarding the case (e.g., receipts, medical records) necessary to determine eligibility. The PS coordinator will work with stakeholders to confirm all existing assets have been explored. Once the case has been compiled, it will be routed to the PS senior director to initiate the approval process. Eligible cases will be approved by the senior director, coordinator, Vice President of Sports Medicine, and Chief Medical Officer will make the final determination as to whether the case is eligible for funding, and if so, the amount of funding.

The MHAF, as with all USOPC services and benefits, is subject to the USOPC benefits eligibility matrix. Individual suspensions and sanctions will be reviewed during the application process.

Please be prepared to provide basic biographical and demographic information, as well as any mental health bills, receipts, medical records, or other appropriate documentation to show proof of cost. If an athlete doesn't have this information when submitting your application, they can submit it to psychological.services@usopc.org to make arrangements.

In addition to the Mental Health Assistance Fund (MHAF), Team USA athletes have access to the following programs and resources:

• Team USA Psychological Services Support Line – The USOPC has contracted with a nationwide call center to create a confidential psychological services support line that is available to Team USA domestically and internationally 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calling will connect Team USA athletes immediately to a licensed mental health provider who can assist in the management of mental health crises or provide resources related to mental health and wellness anywhere in the world. +1 719-866-CALL(2255)
• USOPC Mental Health & Performance Directory – The USOPC Mental Health & Performance Directory is a newly consolidated, public resource to connect Team USA athletes with highly-qualified mental health and mental performance providers who have experience working with elite athletes. Team USA athletes can filter and search the directory to either connect with licensed mental health providers – including social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists – or experienced Certified Mental Performance Consultants across the country who specialize in mental performance.
• eHome Counseling Group – eHome Counseling Counseling Group is a nationwide virtual counseling network contracted by the USOPC that provides empirically-based mental health treatment anytime and anywhere with the highest quality licensed mental health providers on a convenient, confidential, and integrated platform. eHome accepts health insurance and USOPC Psych Services will pay for any expenses outside of insurance.
• Headspace Plus App – Team USA athletes have access to hundreds of resources for focus, sleep, movement and more, including content designed for recovery, competition, training and motivation through Headspace Plus™ – a meditation and sleep app used by more than 66 million and clinically proven to reduce stress, improve happiness and increase focus. Team USA athletes should email psychservices@usopc.org to request membership access. 
• WellTrack™ App – The WellTrack™ app provides athletes with a suite of online tools and courses that incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify, understand, and address their mental health. This app also connects directly to the Team USA mental health support line to manage mental health crises and/or provide mental health resources. Team USA athletes can download the app but should email psychservices@usopc.org to request password access.
• USOPC Elite Athlete Health Insurance (EAHI) – For Team USA athletes covered by the Elite Athlete Health Insurance (EAHI), therapy/counseling sessions with an in-network or out-of-network licensed mental health provider have no co-pay and a deductible does not apply. If a Team USA athlete covered by EAHI engages in services with a mental health provider who does not accept insurance, the athlete can seek reimbursement from the USOPC. For appropriate paperwork or to learn if you are eligible for EAHI, please contact USOPC Psychological Services at psychservices@usopc.org or a USOPC Athlete Healthcare Navigator (athletehealthcare@usopc.org).
• USOPC Psychological Services Team – USOPC psychological services offers eligible Team USA athletes and teams access to internal providers who are licensed in mental health and credentialed in mental performance. These providers integrate psychology and sport science expertise to support athletes in achieving sustained competitive excellence and holistic well-being. Learn about the team for more information.

Any questions about the MHAF or other USOPC mental health programs and resources can be directed to USOPC Psychological Services (psychological.services@usopc.org or 719-866-2388).