Are Athletes More Vulnerable to Mental Health Issues?
It's not just professionals who often fight an invisible opponent
We look at athletes on television and think they must be tough as nails to get where they are. They commit their minds and bodies to hours of grueling daily practice. And it’s not just professionals who risk everything for their sport. Amateur college athletes and dedicated sports enthusiasts (like those who run marathons, ultramarathons, Ironmans, adventure races, etc.) often give close to, if not the same, amount of effort with little to no financial reward.
It’s easy to measure the health of an athlete on the outside. We have devices that examine blood pressure, heart rate, ligaments, muscles, joints, and more. If someone is injured, they rest. If they need surgery, they get it.
But what about the athlete training so hard they long for connection? The ones who feel they never measure up? The athlete who loses during the last few seconds of the game? The ones who struggle with eating disorders and skewed body image.
Many athletes are beginning to speak up and discuss the stigma that persists regarding mental health and competing. Michael Phelps contemplated suicide after winning four gold and two silver medals in 2012. NBA player Kevin Love recently admitted suffering…
