Mental health, despite acceptance of its realities and the weight it carries, has not been addressed to the point of fully tackling the shame factor that comes with speaking about it. This factor has reduced the number of those speaking out and seeking help. The stigma that comes with addressing mental health can be detrimental to the career of student-athletes who are just starting their lives in the sporting industry. Let us know about, “How Does Mental Health Affect Student-Athletes?”
The strain that comes with juggling the lives of an athlete and a student is inexplicable. This is due to the contrasting requirements and needs for excellence in both fields. This leads to a great deal of mental strength to keep up with both lives. The constant struggle to rise above the challenge mentality eventually wears them out and they become mentally exhausted. It is then consequential for a student-athlete to suffer from depression, suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, and Anorexia nervosa. Good mental health is necessary for student-athletes to be the best version of themselves and cannot be overemphasized. Mental health and physical well-being are on the same pedestal; both are required for optimal performance.
How Does Mental Health Affect Student-Athletes?
What Triggers Mental Health Problems in Student-Athletes?
As stated above, student-athletes do not usually speak out about the pain that they go through behind the curtains and this causes wounds to sore the more. Some of the causes are:
- Toxic competitive habits- The academic society is heavily competitive, Healthy, and unhealthy competition inclusive. As athletes, the main goal is to win and be the best; failure to achieve this has dangerous consequences for their careers. The constant presence of unhealthy competition can lead to a feeling of self-insufficiency and desperation birthing an unhealthy downward spiral of mental health problems.
- Lack of provision of personnel to address mental health – Most educational institutions until recently did not take the problem of mental health as serious enough resulting in the lack of personnel who can help them. There is a need for student-athletes to have who they can speak to concerning their problems without reserve.
- Inability to balance academics and athletics- The need to be excellent in both the academic and athletic sphere of their lives sometimes can be deemed as overarching. They tend to put more energy and effort into athleticism than academic performance, this leads to poor academic performance which can cost them their career as athletes.
- Poorly structured curriculum – The poor development of curriculums for student-athletes makes it mentally draining for them. Activity engagements are more in student-athletes than non-student athletes. The lack of all-inclusive curriculums is a deterring factor and a trigger for mental health.
How to Overcome Mental Health in Student-Athletes?
In the first instance, there is much that can be said about how to tackle mental health but where the problem truly lies is in the applicable nature of these calls to action. How are these solutions to become practicable and not some distant idea? There are calls for mental health awareness every minute still a lot of these student-athletes are suffering in silence because they feel those calls are not for them. There is a need for institutional development which can introduce groups that can personally reach out to them and assist them in self-realization and growth. It is necessary to see student-athletes beyond the grades and goals but as human beings who need sensitivity to their problems.
The stigma attached to mental health needs to be eradicated. When student-athletes speak about their struggles, they should not be mocked and considered inadequate. The courage to speak up should be enough.
What Are the Statistics of Mental Health Among Student-Athletes?
According to a statistics report by the Athletes for Hope,”33% of all college students experience significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health condition, and 30% seek help. Among college athletes with mental health conditions, only 10% seek help”.
The Role of Institutional Authorities
There is a need for institutional authorities both in colleges and high schools to create a better environment that is conducive for student-athletes. They are responsible for not only ensuring the physical well-being of these athletes but also their mental well-being. As stated earlier, the lack of personnel has caused the increase in mental health conditions among student-athletes. Authorities need to ensure that they not only employ physicians for physical health but also mental health. The learning and grading system should be humane and put into appreciation the excesses that come with assuming the role of a student-athlete. Instructors and lecturers should prepare the minds of these students for what is ahead and should stand as direct authorities with whom they can build personal relationships and in return serve as a source of strength and encouragement.
Effect Of Bad Mental Health On Student-Athletes
- Suicide
- Low performance both academically and in sports
- Depression
- Loss of interest
- Over training
In conclusion, the tedious life of a student-athlete is not for the faint-hearted; however, there is a need to acknowledge that mental health does affect student-athletes’ performance and lives in its entirety. Ngo such as Morgan Message has established itself in high schools and colleges to help reduce the victims of mental health in student-athletes. The NCAA sports science institute which is a leading mental health organization across the country has developed a seminal publication in support of mental health and wellness. These are steps toward progress and the role of student-athletes in stepping up to the challenge and trying to overcome mental health conditions is quintessential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the mental health conditions that affect student-athletes?
Depression, Anorexia, Anxiety, Food disorder, conduct disorder, and suicide.
2. How important is deciding on a school with an all-inclusive program for mental health?
It is important to research the curriculum and programs of a school before deciding on it. A wrong choice of a school that does not have the requirements to care for a student-athlete both mentally and physically is a wrong choice.
3. Can mental health conditions be overcome?
Yes. Mental health conditions can be overcome and are not the end of the world.
4. Is good mental health as effective as good physical well-being?
Yes, it is. Mental health well-being has been depicted as less significant than good physical well-being but it is wrong.
