Feb 3, 2025Alabama A&M psychologist works with athletes’ mental strength
A recent story from Alabama A&M detailed Slay’s work with the Bulldogs’ student-athletes and their mental health. Below is an excerpt from the Alabama A&M story.Athletes at AAMU who have visited Slay have seen significant growth both on and off the field. Junior wide receiver Braxton Toliver says meeting with Dr. Slay has helped develop him into a better communicator.
“I’ve learned to communicate better and not just hold it in because when you’re holding it in, it gets worse and worse. She explains to us that you have to talk it out even if you might not like it,” said Toliver.
Senior Ryann Tolbert, a member of AAMU’s Volleyball team, highlighted Slay’s ability to listen attentively and uncover the root of any issue, noting that she digs deeper without making athletes feel judged or accused.
“She listens before anything and I respect that to the highest degree because a lot of people try to advise before they understand the issue or the problem…she tends to ask questions to make people dig deeper into themselves. It’s not even like she’s trying to accuse you and she doesn’t get you in a state of defense. She also lets you open up at your pace and it’s just a very slow and steady approach,” said Tolbert.
Slay’s impact also extends beyond athletes as she collaborates with their coaches. She plays a pivotal role in helping coaches effectively communicate with players who may be struggling with the mental aspects of their sport.
» ALSO SEE: The effects of HIFT on performance and body composition
“They may have a student-athlete that may have ADHD. With that, sometimes there are some learning barriers and we’re talking about learning plays and that could affect their ability to learn those plays. Also, in terms of how you communicate with certain individuals, everybody has their communication style, everybody has their leadership style, and so understanding how to best coach a particular student-athlete, that they may be getting a little bit of resistance with and not necessarily how to coach, but how to reach that individual, how to make them a better athlete. So that is where I work with the coaches in that space,” said Slay.
To read the full story from Alabama A&M, click here.
