In today’s world, we are hearing more and more stories about how mental health is important for athletes. The truth of that matter is that it’s always been important, it’s just something we never really spoke about. Mental health and wellness is a deeply personal journey and something that no athlete can escape. To be the best athlete a person can be, they have to be healthy as an individual and this includes mental wellness.

How does mental health affect sports performance?

Mental health affects sports performance in a multitude of ways. Mental health is essentially how you think, feel and act. Athletic performance can be affected by mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, sleep disorders, etc. However, other mental health struggles like high stress, injuries, emotional difficulties, and a lack of concentration can also contribute to sports performance problems.

To put it simply, the clearer you can think, and the better you feel, the more likely it is that you’ll perform at higher levels. It doesn’t mean that if an athlete suffers from something like depression they won’t be able to perform well, but it does mean that if they are treated for the illness, they may be able to perform better. The bottom line is that mental health and wellness can be complicated because it looks different on everyone.

Brain anatomy studies have shown that like fingerprints, every person has a unique brain structure. When we also consider that no two people have the exact same life experience, it’s clear that mental health is something that is completely individual. This means that one athlete’s experience with a disorder like anxiety will not be the same as another player’s experience. Therefore, we need to consider the mental wellness of each individual when exploring their athletic performance.

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

It’s important for athletes to talk about mental health for several reasons. For one, it’s easy to hide your mental and emotional state, so if a person doesn’t talk about their struggles, most people probably won’t know there is an issue. Secondly, when athletes talk about mental health it helps break the stigma and allows their peers to also speak up.

Speaking up is being mentally tough. A lot of athletes that I’ve spoken with feel being mentally tough means holding everything in and moving forward at all costs. That “suck it up” mentality may work in moments when you have to perform, but that won’t work well in your life off the field or court. The reason is that your problems and struggles won’t just magically disappear if you ignore them. All that pent-up energy will find a release in other ways, which aren’t typically come in the form of unhealthy outlets. If you have trouble asking for help, you can check out these tips for asking for help and how to speak up when you need support.

Another reason why it’s important for athletes to talk about mental health is that talking can provide a boost to your mental health. Studies have shown that having a meaningful conversation with someone, can help lower stress and increase happiness.

Why is mental health important for college athletes?

Mental health is important for college athletes in part because research has shown that on average, the human brain isn’t fully developed until 25 years of age or so. This means that the struggles college athletes face are met with the additional challenge that their brains may not yet be fully developed. In addition, college athletes deal with a unique environment of pressure from a variety of different sources The demands of being a student-athlete are vast leaving little time for the individual to address their mental wellbeing. Because of the demands and pressure, mental health is important for college athletes otherwise they may suffer in silence leading to devastating consequences.

More and more college athletes are talking about the pressure that they feel from demanding athletic schedules with training, traveling, and playing, to keeping up with their academic pursuits. Student-athletes also try to keep up with their peers and social circles, which may lead to more feelings of isolation. With the introduction of NIL into the college athlete world, some athletes may find financial relief while others will still struggle to make ends meet. Adding to that, the athlete may feel down on themselves if they aren’t able to secure lucrative NIL deals like their teammates. Additionally, factors like family relationships can create more stress in the student athlete’s life. When you consider these factors, it’s clear that mental health is important for college athletes.

Why is mental health important for pro athletes?

Mental health is important for professional athletes because even though they are elite athletes, they are human beings first, which means that they have emotions and life struggles just like everyone else. Oftentimes, pro athletes may not have learned skills like emotional intelligence. On the other hand, they may have learned competitive values like not showing weakness and winning at all costs which may translate well on the field but not so much in everyday life. They also may have a circle of people around them who may not have their best interests at heart. When that environment and spotlight combine with other individualistic factors, mental health is exceptionally important for pro athletes.

In recent years, we’ve seen pro athletes begin to come forward about their struggles with mental health. People may think that pro athletes have access to everything they could possibly be needed, but in the mental health space, pro athletes, both active and retired, are an underserved population. Many athletes struggle with feeling like their entire life is a business deal and they feel more like a product than a human being. In high-impact sports, we’re just beginning to touch the surface of the implications of traumatic brain injury. Another common obstacle that many pro athletes face is they have a hard time trusting people. However, when we get down to it, the fact of the matter is that players are people, and they are not immune to struggles. Professional athletes need a space where their unique experience is understood, and they can feel safe finding solutions.

We’ve seen and heard of the tragic stories of pro athletes who have fallen into addiction, made costly decisions, or taken their own lives. It’s hard to pinpoint a singular reason for these outcomes because everyone has their own story, but that’s why mental health is so important. How you think, feel, and act is something pro athletes can’t afford not to address.

How can an athlete improve mental health?

An athlete can improve mental health by getting to know themselves better, seeking help from a professional, and learning the tools to help them improve. One of the advantages that athletes have in mental health is that they understand the team attitude. It takes a team effort to work together, but your effort as an individual is what contributes to the team’s success. The first step is the willingness to be vulnerable. Have the courage to admit that you need support and then ask for help.

There’s no set structure or formula that will work for every individual but there are steps that can help athletes improve their mental health. For example, work with a coach or licensed mental health professional who can partner with you on your journey and help provide a support system for you. A mental health professional can teach you how to rewire negative thought habits, stay in growth mode (vs. survival mode), how to communicate better, how to manage emotions, etc. You can utilize tools like meditation, affirmations, and visualization to improve mental health and performance.

Mental health is important for athletes at all levels not just for performance but for overall life skills and satisfaction. While it’s true that every athlete’s career will eventually end, it’s also true that everyone will deal with trials and tribulations throughout life. Challenges are inevitable but they are not insurmountable. Take the time to work on your mental health and wellness the way you would train for your sport. It takes consistent effort and dedication. Luckily, you don’t have to do it all alone.

Mental Health Support Services for Athletes:

Hall of Fame Health: 866-404-HOFH https://www.hofhealth.com/

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) https://nami.org/

SAMHSA: 1-800-487-4889

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 or 1-800-273-8255

NFL Life Line: (800) 506-0078 https://www.nfllifeline.org/

NBA Mental Health & Wellness Department: https://nbpa.com/mentalwellness

MLB Player, Partner and Family Helpline: 844-336-0605

FIFPRO: https://fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/health-and-performance/mental-health

Team USA: +1-719-866-CALL (or 2255) https://www.teamusa.org/team-usa-athlete-services/mental-health

Looking for more support? I offer mental health and mindset coaching for athletes and professionals. Click here to get started with a free session or contact me with your questions.