Head in the Game: The Mental Health of Athletes

Athletes don’t just train their bodies; they train their minds.

In recent years, the conversation surrounding mental health in sports has gained significant momentum. 

“The thing that we’re taught to do in this sport because it’s such a quote, unquote ‘manly sport’ is to hide your feelings, hide your emotions, and any expression of these feelings and emotions makes you less of a man,” said Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner. 

“That’s a myth. Talking about your feelings, talking about things that affect you mentally, physically are more manly than anything because it takes a lot of courage to talk about those things.”

Usually celebrated for their physical strength, athletes are speaking up more about their mental health challenges and resonating with the human experience.

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has made it clear: “I say put mental health first. Because if you don’t, then you’re not going to enjoy your sport, and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to.”

The Cost of a Competitive Career

Approximately 35% of athletes report experiencing mental health issues such as burnout, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance misuse, and sleep disturbances. 

Additionally, 1 in 4 student-athletes show signs of depression, grappling with the pressure to excel both academically and athletically. 

As Dr. Candice Williams, Director of Mind Health, and Wellness for the Boston Celtics, said, “We have to put the person before the student and the athlete, otherwise we are at risk of losing all three.”

During the on-season, athletes are under immense pressure to perform – something first responders, military personnel, and performing artists can all relate to.

The demands of competition lead to increased stress and anxiety, which sports psychologists suggest can be mitigated by focusing on strengths, the task at hand, and what the player can control. 

Meditative practices like focusing on gratitude can also be helpful on a tough game day.

The Role of Rest and Recovery

As Los Angeles Lakers player Lebron James once said, “Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s self-preservation.”

Taking breaks, prioritizing self-care, and avoiding burnout are essential for athletes’ physical and mental well-being. 

However, this can bring its own set of challenges. Preliminary studies suggest the stress of the off-season could even be greater than during the competitive season. 

Being sidelined by injury or nearing the end of a competitive career can trigger intense but natural emotions related to a loss of purpose and sense of belonging.

For perspective,  the average NFL career lasts just 3.5 seasons. While retirement can lead to a sense of lost identity, it also offers an opportunity to redefine one’s future. 

Some decorated athletes, including tennis player Serena Williams, don’t believe the word ‘retirement’ accurately captures the lived experience of being an athlete.

“I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me,” Williams said. “Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.”

What We Can Learn From Athletes

No athlete achieves greatness alone. Behind every successful player is a team of coaches, teammates, and mental health professionals. 

The challenges athletes face are not unique to those who play professional sports, and can affect all of us in our daily lives, whether at work or within our personal life.

Several NFL players like Warrick Dunn, Christian Gonzalez, and Jeffery Simmons have opened up in recent years about their mental health struggles on and off the field.

“As athletes, we got lost on the simple fact that we’re supposed to be big and strong when the reality is, we’re human,” shared Dunn, a former running back. “So I thought it was important that I stated my situation, what I went through mentally, how it tied me down and stopped me from growing.”

The support systems we build – through family, friends, or professional help – play a crucial role in maintaining our mental well-being. Building and leaning on these connections is vital, especially during tough times.

Athletes celebrate their achievements to stay motivated, and we can do the same. Acknowledging our victories, no matter how minor they may seem, reinforces positive mental health and keeps us moving forward.