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Temple athletics hires first full-time mental health specialist

Dr. Stephany Coakley earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Temple.

The Temple athletic department has named Dr. Stephany Coakley as senior associate athletic director for mental health, wellness and performance.

With the appointment, Coakley becomes the first full-time mental health specialist with the Temple athletic department.

Coakley, who earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Temple, is a certified mental performance consultant and licensed professional counselor and has a doctorate in exercise and sport science with a concentration in sports psychology.

"Mental health has been an area of concern for not just Temple University athletics, but nationally," Temple director of athletics Patrick Kraft said in a statement. "Hiring a full-time professional has been a goal since I arrived at the university, and with the addition to our staff of Dr. Stephany Coakley, we have taken a giant step in helping address a glaring need of our student-athletes."

Added Coakley, also in a statement: "The stigma associated with mental health has been such a barrier to total wellness. At Temple, we will take the necessary steps to de-stigmatize health conditions that affect the mind. Providing services for mental health is vital, not just in sport, but also in life. I am looking forward to making Temple athletics a model program in terms of assessment, intervention, treatment and support."