Breaking Down the Barriers: How Athlete Insight Helps Athletes Overcome Obstacles to Seeking Mental Health
Sports culture asserts that athletes must showcase physical strength while maintaining mental toughness. The intense balance of giving 110% to practices, weights, and competition often results in athletes experiencing mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or even burnout.
While advocacy for athlete mental wellness has become increasingly prevalent, many athletes still hesitate to reach out to psychological professionals for support. There are many reasons why athletes are reluctant to seek out mental health services. This post will review the most prominent barriers to athletes seeking help and explains how Athlete Insight works to break down these barriers to empower athletes to seek the help they deserve.
Barrier 1: Mental Health Literacy
Many athletes report having limited “mental health literacy,” meaning they do not have extensive knowledge about mental health issues nor do they understand when and where they should seek mental health services or potential treatment options. Unfortunately, when athletes have limited mental health literacy, they are more likely to minimize their concerns. They may even believe that their experiences do not warrant professional mental health support.
Example: An athlete might have constant anxiety manifesting as negative self-talk, lightheadedness, and churning in their stomach before a race. Without the knowledge that these symptoms could be anxiety, athletes may assume their symptoms are “typical” and will resolve naturally.
At Athlete Insight, we recognize our role as mental health professionals is to provide educational information to clients about their mental health concerns; equipping athletes with the knowledge to recognize when their struggles warrant professional help to promote change and healing.
Barrier 2: Fear of Being Labeled as ‘Mentally Weak”
Athletes can be perceived as “superheroes.” Commonly, these narratives result in athletes feeling shame if they experience mental health concerns. Athletes may fear that acknowledging mental health struggles will result in being seen as “weak” or incapable of handling the rigorous demands of their sport.
Example: A football player may hesitate to seek mental health support for depression and burnout due to the fear that their coaches or teammates will view them as less competitive or dedicated.
Athlete Insight seeks to break this stigma behind seeking mental health support by normalizing conversations about mental health in sports. We strive to reframe the narrative about help-seeking—engaging in mental health services is not a sign of weakness! In fact, these services are a tool that athletes use to improve their athletic performance and enhance their overall wellness. At Athlete Insight, we aim to create an environment that supports athletes' vulnerability and accepts athletes for who they are and what they experience without judgment.
Barrier 3: Logistical Challenges
The demands of being an athlete are never-ending! Athletes must find time to practice, lift weights, go to athletic trainers, engage in active recovery, rest, work with treatment teams, prepare for competitions, and compete, all while finding time to do things that bring them joy! Between balancing life, athletic commitments, and recovery, finding time in your busy schedule to schedule therapy or other mental health services can feel impossible. Outside of finding the time to attend mental health appointments, athletes may also experience financial barriers that prevent them from being financially able to participate in mental health services.
Example: A collegiate swimmer with two-a-day practices, a 15-hour/week internship, and 20 hours/week worth of classes may struggle to find a therapist whose availability fits their packed schedule.
Athlete Insight addresses these logistical challenges by (1) offering flexible appointment options and (2) offering a sliding scale based on clinician experience to support every athletes’ budget.
Barrier 4: Fear of Losing Playing Time and Scholarships
Many athletes hold the belief that seeking mental health support could affect their playing time or even jeopardize their scholarship eligibility. Athletes are concerned that if they share their mental health struggles with coaches, they could be benched, viewed as a liability, or questioned about their ability to perform.
Example: A baseball player is experiencing panic attacks but does not tell their coach out of fear that their playing time will be cut.
At Athlete Insight, we understand privacy concerns are real. In Colorado, therapy is confidential for athletes 12 and older. Outside of mandatory reporting, we only share information with your permission. Our athlete-centered approach ensures your treatment stays private and protected. This means that the only people who know about athletes receiving services are the people that athletes choose to tell themselves.
Barrier 5: Personal Barriers to Seeking Help
Another reason athletes may avoid seeking help is their personal beliefs, such as not wanting to be a burden, feeling they should handle problems alone, being uncomfortable discussing sensitive, “emotional” issues, or cultural beliefs. Some worry that opening up about mental health struggles to a professional could negatively affect their athletic performance.
Example: A track athlete may feel shame about their struggles with anxiety and believe they should “tough it out” to handle unwanted emotions on their own.
At Athlete Insight, we work with athletes to foster a supportive environment where you can feel comfortable discussing your emotions and experiences without judgment. Our diverse experiences working with athletes of all levels informs our approach and we tailor our services to each athlete’s unique story. We empower athletes to take ownership of their lives, values, and passions, working together to address how mental health affects athletic performance and overall well-being.
Athlete Mental Health Matters
At Athlete Insight, we recognize our power in helping athletes break down these barriers to connect to life-changing mental health services. You will not face this journey alone. Using a strengths-based approach, we use your inherent strengths and talents to build a foundation for change. While we know that safety and trust in a therapeutic relationship take time to develop, we hope to demonstrate our commitment to honesty and transparency from day one. Let’s work together to prioritize your mental health and unlock your full potential as an athlete and a human.
If you are curious about mental health services but not sure where to begin, take a moment to book a complimentary, no-strings-attached, discovery call to explore whether we might be the right fit or your needs.