How does being a pro athlete affect your mental health?

Mental health concerns for pro athletes are nothing new, but it is a topic of conversation that we are beginning to speak about more openly. Imagine being in a world where every move you make is watched and judged. The world of pro sports can be tough with locker room cultures that don’t always allow for a show of emotions. It’s like being in a fishbowl where everyone is waiting to see if you’ll hold up or break under pressure. And guess what? The pressure to perform is just the beginning of stressors and ailments that pro athletes face.

How does being a pro athlete affect your mental health?

“As a pro athlete, you’re conditioned to believe you’re 10 feet tall and bulletproof. In fact, you HAVE to believe you’re unstoppable, that NO ONE can beat you! That is simply the only mentality that breeds success on the field, court, etc. What is very difficult for many is turning this switch off when they are not in compete mode. This mentality accompanied with all the world’s pleasures at your fingertips can be a serious challenge on the mental health of the HUMAN BEING within every athlete.” – Brandon Puffer, Retired MLB Player, Speaker and Author.

Being a professional athlete can have a significant impact on mental health. Research shows that athletes can face a variety of mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or even substance abuse. It’s not easy when the spotlight is always on, and every performance could make or break your career[1].

The pressure to perform at a high level, constant scrutiny from the media and fans, and the physical demands of the sport can all contribute to stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and other mental health issues.

Aside from performance expectations, many pro athletes also face unique challenges such as:

Dealing with injuries
Consequences from traumatic brain injury
Managing expectations (from teams, coaches, and loved ones)
Being a public figure
Finances
Extremely demanding schedules
Family obligations
Supporting loved ones

While many people struggle with similar issues, for pro athletes, you’re doing all of this at a very high level among the best of the best in your profession where competition and expectations are intense, and your job is basically always on the line. Because of this, there is a very specific culture and lifestyle that few around you understand.

Pro Athlete Mental Health Support – 3 Steps to Getting Started

Why do athletes have mental health issues?

“The expectation of athletes is to perform, and our worth is often linked to how well we produce on game day. And the public often forgets we are people with lived experiences who make mistakes just like everyone else. While we can handle feedback and coaching, the land of social media can foster some of the most hateful comments from people who have never faced that kind of criticism in their work environments. The heaviness and expectation to ’be perfect’ can lead to many challenges in and out of sport. And remembering who we are as people, not just as athletes, is a process.” – Kim Brady, Former Semi-Pro Soccer Player, Author, and Business Coach

About 35% of elite athletes deal with things like eating disorders, burnout, depression, or anxiety[2].

Aside from the all-around pressure, the culture in sports is sometimes still a contributing factor as to why athletes have mental health issues. Even with the increased conversation and resources, many athletes still feel like they have to hide their struggles. This can create bigger issues because mental health issues don’t just go away on their own; they are eventually revealed in one way or another.

“Athletes are being told that mental health is a priority and then they’re not being supported. It gives a mixed message. We’re still swimming upstream against this idea that mental health is not perceived as a whole to be as important as physical health problems.” – Dr. Matthew Sacco

Consequently, many athletes feel like they don’t have access to the right resources or aren’t comfortable using the resources. For example, many pro athletes that I coach on their mental health, tell me that they aren’t comfortable going to the resources within their organization because they don’t want their problems getting back to the coach and staff.

What are the mental health issues for athletes after retirement?

“Professional athletes are often trained to conquer their insecurities in the pursuit of excellence, but these suppressed emotions can become the ghosts that haunt them long after their careers have ended.” – Mike Rodriguez, Retired MLB Player

The whistle of retirement echoes a different tune in the transition into life after sports. When the cheering crowds and the game-day adrenaline become memories, athletes often find themselves at crossroads. The shift from being an athlete with a clear purpose and path to finding a brand new purpose and sense of fulfillment can be a rocky one to say the least. It’s a whole new game where financial pressures are real and finding a new career can feel like learning to walk again.[3] Many retired athletes also commonly struggle with their identity, developing a new schedule, and tying their value to achievement.

Retirement from sports can be a transition that’s riddled with questions and confusion. Transitioning from a dedicated athletic career truly feels like brand new territory, particularly if you have spent the bulk of your life focused on your sport. For a good chunk of your life, the sport has stood as a steadfast ally, a source of strength, a realm of brotherhood/sisterhood, an outlet for life’s stresses, a gateway to endless possibilities, and a significant slice of your identity and way of life.

As you step away from the sport that has been your world, you might find yourself on shaky ground, feeling a bit lost and under-supported. You might feel isolated and like no one understands you, especially now that the locker room camaraderie is gone. It’s like embarking on a new chapter, which one athlete I previously worked with described as stepping into “civilian life” with a blank map and an empty space to fill. This experience may lead to mental health issues like depression.

Has mental health always affected athletes?

The short answer is, “Yes.” Athletes are human beings, and so mental health has always been a part of existence. What once was a taboo topic and labeled as “weak,” is now something we are beginning to openly discuss. However, that doesn’t mean that pro athletes are new to mental health struggles.

Consider these former athletes who have been open about their mental health disorders:

“Some people hide their pain. I’m not proud of the fact that I don’t feel good about myself a lot of the time, but it’s nothing I’m ashamed of.” – Jerry West

“I tell everybody today, ‘Listen, just because you’re feeling good and everything else, don’t lose track of your counseling time … You have to understand, first of all, I congratulate myself on saying I need help.’ I tell people this all the time.” – Terry Bradshaw

“I walked into the league a 22-year-old man with a 16-year-old inside of me screaming for help, and I would not ask for it. I would not ask for that help. But today, guys, I take my medicine every day, and I try to inspire others to do the same, and that’s because I finally listened and thank you.” – Charles Haley

Why is it important for athletes to talk about mental health?

“Asking for help is a sign of a true warrior!” – Marques Ogden, Retired NFL Player, Podcast Host, Author and Best-Selling Author.

“Don’t ever let life make you forget why you do what you do.” – Shea Hillenbrand, 2-Time MLB All-Star, Global Speaker, and Elite Performance Coach

As more athletes step up to share their stories, we can only hope that not only will we break the stigma and normalize these conversations but normalize mental health care.

In a recent coaching session, an athlete who is struggling with some personal issues outside of his sport confided that he began opening up to some people around him. He was surprised at the support that he received. It turns out, a couple of the people he spoke to were also struggling silently with their own issues. As a result of their conversations, they can now offer support to one another but also have a deeper understanding of one another as teammates.

“When my patients talk about their struggles, it empowers them,” says Dr. Heather Duong. “Athletes in a poor mental state are at higher risk for burnout and disengaging with their sport. They’re also more susceptible to alcohol and drug abuse.”

Clearly, the best and first step that we can take is to open up and talk whether that’s:

Asking for help when you need it
Talking about your struggles
Checking in with teammates

If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, know that help is available. Reach out, speak up, and let’s create a world where the mind and body thrive in harmony. More information on our pro athlete mental health and mindset coaching programs is available here.