The Mental Edge: Encouraging Athletes to Seek Support
Athletes face immense pressure to perform at their peak athletic ability and maintain mental resilience. The pressure can build until athletes’ emotions explode, their athletic performances falter, and/or they turn away from their support systems. Research indicates approximately 33% of athletes report experiencing a mental health challenge, but only 10-15% of athletes initiate seeking formal mental health support.
My heart as a therapist, retired collegiate athlete, and human aches for the athletes who suffer in silence. As discussed in my last blog post, several factors contribute to athletes’ reluctance to seek mental health services. However, seeking help is multidimensional, and several factors make it easier for athletes to reach out for support. By increasing awareness and fostering a supportive sports culture, we, as mental health professionals, sports lovers, athletes, and humans of the world, can collectively encourage help-seeking behaviors among athletes.
Awareness and Understanding of Mental Health
The first step in promoting help-seeking among athletes is raising awareness about mental health and the importance of seeking support. Education is critical in this process; if athletes and their support systems are unaware of mental health symptoms and services, we cannot expect them to engage in help. Increasing awareness empowers athletes to recognize when they face stressors that warrant mental health support.
What to Expect from Different Types of Mental Health Services
Educating athletes about the different types of mental health services is essential. Many may not know where to seek help or what to expect during their sessions. Increasing awareness of the benefits of help-seeking can demystify the process. Research indicates that many individuals start to experience improvements in their mental health after about 5 to 10 sessions of therapy. When athletes understand that discussing their mental health is not a sign of weakness but rather a step toward personal growth and improved performance, they may feel more empowered to reach out for help.
Athlete Insight offers a range of services tailored to the unique needs of athletes. These include:
Therapy: One-on-one counseling provides athletes with a nonjudgemental space to explore their thoughts and feelings. Mental health professionals, such as licensed psychologists or counselors, can help athletes address issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, stress management, and burnout.
However, many athletes do not know what to discuss in therapy, thinking their problems are too small to warrant professional services. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of topics that can be explored:
Relationships with coaches, parents, and teammates
Fears and anxieties about performance
Adjusting to new teams or roles
Mental blocks
A loss of enjoyment in their sport
Questions about whether they want to continue in their sport
Transition into or out of college sports
Identity issues, such as “Who am I without my sport?”
What is important for athletes to know is that, if it’s important for them to talk about, we’re here to listen. We care about what athletes care about; nothing is too small to discuss.
Sport and Performance Training: This service focuses on enhancing athletes' confidence, mental resilience, and coping strategies within their sport. Providers work with athletes to develop a mental skills “toolbox” that fosters resilience, improves performance under pressure, and enhances overall well-being.
Psychiatry: For athletes who may require medication as part of their mental health treatment, psychiatric services provide evaluations and prescriptions. Sport psychiatrists carefully consider how to support the mental health needs of athletes while not interfering with performance.
Fitness and Movement Coaching: This service combines physical fitness with mental health support, emphasizing the mind-body connection. Coaches guide athletes in exercises that improve physical performance and promote mental wellness through movement.
At Athlete Insight, we built a multidisciplinary team to ensure that athletes can find support that fits their needs and preferences, making the journey toward mental wellness feel more accessible.
Making Asking for Help the Norm (Not the Exception)
Normalizing help-seeking in sports is crucial for fostering mental health awareness among athletes. Athletic GOATS like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps openly discussing their mental health struggles challenged the stigma that equates seeking help with weakness. Their courage sends a powerful message: prioritizing mental well-being is as essential as physical training. During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Biles made headlines by withdrawing from the competition to focus on her mental health, inspiring many to recognize the importance of prioritizing mental health. Similarly, Phelps has openly discussed his battles with anxiety and depression, both helping to reduce stigma and promoting awareness in the sports community.
Teams can continue to de-stigmatize help-seeking by fostering open discussions about mental health during training sessions and team meetings. When prioritizing mental health becomes part of the team culture, athletes are more likely to attend to their wellness without fear of judgment. This shift in perspective encourages them to seek help when needed, enhancing overall athletic performance and resilience.
The Role of Coaches in Normalizing Help-Seeking
Coaches are the primary vehicle for shaping the mental health culture within sports. Research has consistently shown that athletes are more likely to feel comfortable seeking help when coaches demonstrate supportive attitudes toward mental health. Coaches who proactively check in on their athletes’ mental health and prompt them to seek help can make a significant difference in whether athletes feel it is acceptable to engage in mental health support. By openly discussing mental health topics and normalizing help-seeking behaviors, coaches can encourage athletes to prioritize their well-being.
Everyone Has a Role
The journey toward normalizing help-seeking among athletes requires a collective effort from mental health professionals, sports organizations, athletes, and their support people. By raising awareness, promoting supportive environments, and ensuring access to diverse mental health services, we can break down the barriers that prevent athletes from seeking help. When mental well-being is prioritized alongside physical performance, athletes can thrive in and outside of sport, ultimately leading a happier and more fulfilling life.
By fostering a culture where mental health is openly discussed and seeking help is celebrated, we create a supportive environment for athletes, ensuring they know they are not alone in their struggles. Together, we can champion a new era in sports that values mental health just as much as physical performance.
If you are curious about talking to someone about something on your mind, please reach out to schedule a complimentary discovery call. It would be an honor to be invited into your journey.