Prioritizing Mental Health of Student Athletes Across The Globe

Prioritizing Mental Health of Student Athletes Across The Globe

By Will Bradley

Throughout recent years, student-athletes across the globe have begun speaking out over the causes of their declining mental health and how it has formed the person they are today. Interviews with former and current athletes reveal the clear issues that are in need of attention and action.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, also known as the NCAA, conducted research on varying athletes. These surveys were performed on a wide and randomized scale from over 9,000 athletes. Not only did these surveys conduct the effects of mental health on athletes at a broader aspect, but also dove deeper into understanding the root causes. For example, it was shown that as pressure to win increases, training becomes much more extreme and anxiety-ridden. When surveyed on this matter, 30% of athletes said they felt extremely overwhelmed, as well as 25% felt a sense of mental exhaustion. It was revealed that many of these broader issues stem from much smaller and more impactful causes.

“A lot of what influences the direction on this topic is what sort of conversations are happening on a campus surrounding mental health,” said Scott Hamilton, NCAA Director.

Looking at the effects on these athletes, it is important to note all factors at play. Within the collegiate sports program factors of teammate struggles, Academic Experiences, Extreme Stress and Anxiety, and much more lead to these widespread experiences. When asked whether these athletes considered their mental health a priority, 55% of men and 47% of women athletes agreed according to the NCAA. To begin, the portrayal of teammate struggles is a strong factor in the reasoning behind the mental health struggles in athletes. A former student-athlete in high school and current junior at Brown University weighed in on her experiences. She experienced troubles, especially playing at an intense level while also studying and achieving high grades.

“I definitely feel a heavy weight to perform well in all aspects of my life. Having gone to a pretty intense high school with a big workload, I’ve always been surrounded by high-achieving individuals,” said Emma Bradley.

Bradley described the struggles she faced not only as a player but also as a student in the academic aspect. She described how being an athlete helped with time management skills that have carried her into college, and that even with the free time in college, that means more time to work diligently and effectively on assignments for the future. Not only did she play multiple sports in high school but kept a consistent A/A+ grade average, leading her to an amazing Ivy League College. As a high school scholar-athlete, Emma Bradley learned time management skills that helped her play three sports and continuously maintain that A average. But her success did not come without stress on her mental health.

“I still felt stressed and anxious throughout it all, having to keep track of multiple things and feeling focused for everything I did school-wise,” said Emma Bradley.

Another student within the Massachusetts area also weighed in, but with a different perspective to show how widely different the effects of sports can be on their current lifestyle. This student, Aidan Kostas, is a current college football player. It is his freshman year of college at Holy Cross, an entirely new environment, and also a lot of area for growth.

“I play football, I have 0 stress, and have never felt overwhelmed… I didn't play in games as a freshman so it doesn’t matter how I perform really,” said Aidan Kostas.

It is important to see both sides of a story. In this case, there are those who deal with the causes and effects of mental health struggles, as shown with the high school athlete interviewed, and those athletes who simply haven’t experienced a kind of feeling, as with the college athlete. When looking at the studies, however, it is clear that a significant percentage of surveyed athletes feel a type of overwhelming stress. Not everybody goes through this of course, but also different athletes live different experiences which lead to these feelings. 

A motivational speaker who focuses on stress management experienced this year back during their time in college weighed in on not only how the feeling of stress and anxiety built up at the time, but also how the lessons learned and impacts have formed the person they are today. Garrett James was a former Division 1 football player at Boston College during the 1990s. He states the multiple stress-induced experiences put on him by his coaches, team, and overall time playing.

“Being a full-time student and a full-time athlete can be very demanding on your time. You normally start the day with morning running sessions and if you don’t make the runs in a certain time you have to show up earlier the next day for punishment runs, then you rush to class, and if you are caught skipping or late you get punished more,” said Garrett James.

At first glance, it is clear from the morning routine as a division 1 football player, the stress put on by coaches and overall timeline is overly extreme for any normal student-athlete. Garrett did not let this experience change him in a negative manner. It is important to note how coaches also impact negativity and stress. James’s coach was Tom Coughlin, who later won two NFL Superbowls with the New York Giants. His pressure was extreme on every single athlete, but he explained that something positive came out of this experience.

“He taught me that if the mind is clear, focused, and organized the body can do amazing things. It taught me to prioritize work and be very organized. It taught me hard work pays off even through stress,” said Garrett James. 

The experiences dealt with by all athletes, especially James, allows people to learn about their day-to-day extremities as an athlete, and form into the person they are today.