Mental Health and College Athletes
The concern for mental health in recent years has seen a dramatic upward increase. However, this comes at a cost. The first time I recognized the need for reformed mental health care in coordination with collegiate athletes followed the death of renowned goalkeeper Katie Meyer. Meyer, a former soccer player for Stanford and captain, seemed to have her future lined up. Just a couple of years before her death, Meyer helped lead the Cardinal to a national championship after her performance in penalty kicks. Katie’s story shows that the ones struggling the most are often the ones you least expect. She was not the first college athlete to end her life, but she could be one of the last if changes are made toward the betterment of mental health in college programs.
Understanding the topic’s prevalence is essential before delving into solutions regarding player mental health. Athletes, especially those recruited to play at the next level, are used to being a higher performing individual than those around them. They pride themselves on being resilient and strong. However, once they enter college, they are not the only high-performing individual around them. They are now just fish in a bigger and better sea of other athletes, and this change can be challenging. The pressures that college athletes face aren’t to be overlooked either. In the end, players are often regarded as entertainment rather than people. The mental health of an athlete is significant for a variety of reasons. First, a player’s mental health can directly be linked to their performance. Poor mental health can lead to anxiety, colluded judgment, and suboptimal performance. Another reason is that poor mental health in college can lead to a lifetime of difference. This can range from chronic anxiety and depression to, even the worst extent, a player taking their own life. Prioritizing individual players’ mental health also benefits the team and the environment they play for. Positive mental well-being helps ensure players can still have an enjoyable college experience, build relationships, and work towards desires outside of sports and college.
Athletes face many challenges in dealing with academics and their athletics. Poor mental well-being can result from internalized pressures, like perfectionism, pressure to perform well, being away from family, and even injuries. Or external factors like a lack of balance between training and rest, a stressful culture, and a competitive environment. The self-elicited expectations that student-athletes place on themselves are sometimes unmanageable. However, overcoming adversity can be considered ‘mentally tough.’ This places a feeling of weakness or negative stigma around failing. According to Psycom, “But of college athletes with mental health conditions, only 10% choose to seek help. Some experts say this may be the result of schedules that are too packed with classes and practice to fit in therapy, but stigma is likely another factor” (Mazzella, 2023). The question now becomes, how do colleges break the stigma of discussing mental health?
As stated in an article by Wtherapy, “In the words of Dr. Thelma Dye Holmes, ‘Mental health has a stigma that is tied into weakness and is absolutely the antithesis of what athletes want to portray’” (Brenner, 2021). The stigma around mental health remains the most significant barrier between students and seeking help. The first step in breaking this barrier is starting a conversation about it. Making the topic taboo is what continues to push the issue. Other solutions include therapy and talking to a specialist regarding your issues. From experience, therapy is a great way to gain insight into your thoughts and to learn healthy coping mechanisms. An alternative outlet to therapy can also be finding support from peers. This can include your teammates, coaches, support staff, and family. Finding familiarity in struggle can help athletes not feel so isolated.
To conclude, addressing the issue of mental health crises involves a multistep approach, including breaking the stigma, initiating conversations, and providing access to support. Katie Meyer’s tragedy can be used as an example of the urgency of pursuing this issue and a harsh reminder of the cost of ignorance. By prioritizing mental health, athletes can find comfort in seeking help, and colleges can safeguard their students’ well-being. Through collective effort, the mental health crisis can be overcome, and athletes can continue to pursue their passions without sacrificing their mental health.
Brenner, B., Ph.D. (2021, August 31). Athletes mental health: Stigmas & misconceptions. WithTherapy. https://withtherapy.com/therapist-insights/athletes-mental-health-stigmas-misconceptions/
Mazzella, R. (2023, January 5). Why do college athletes keep dying by suicide? Psycom. https://www.psycom.net/student-mental-health/college-athletes-how-to-help