Teaming up to strengthen mental health resources for student athletes on campus, now, for tomorrow

Within the last month

Agile, energetic, driven, confident and tough.

These terms are often used to describe student athletes. It is perceived that these terms are the qualities that lead to athletic performance and success. Too frequently, discussion lacks about the immense pressure placed upon student athletes to always be agile, energetic, driven, confident and tough, and the potential toll that pressure takes. Sadly, the combustible pressure on student athletes to manage all these characteristics has resulted in five student athletes committing suicide within the last month. That is five families, five teams and five institutions all grieving the loss of agile, energetic, driven, confident and tough athletes. It’s time to change the discussion.

Student athlete concerns

College is not the starting point for this pressure placed on student athletes but is often the perfect storm for mental health crises. From the beginning, athletes are taught to have a practice makes perfect attitude and, “if you apply yourself, you will master your sport with great achievements.” When a student athlete enters college, there are additional concerns that can continuously strain that individual. For most athletes, college is the highest level of play that they will reach. These athletes also have the added stress of being a full-time student. Mental health concerns, fears and worries vary by athlete, but commonly include:

• Achieving perfectionism and needing to “suck it up”
• Academic and athletic responsibility
• Team goals and initiatives
• Career-ending stage: “What is my purpose after sports?” and “Who am I without my sport?”