Whether you call it mental health in athletes or a quiet crisis, the symptoms remain the same and affect our children: While you might assume they're too young to experience such challenges, the reality proves otherwise. Student-athletes contend with issues like mental exhaustion, anxiety, and depression.
Mental Health in Athletes: Everything You Need To Know
There really is a lot to balance, but mental health in sports can really impact athletes at any age. Our psychologists are here with a closer look at the challenges young athletes face and how to find help.
Well, you know, participating in sports like soccer, athletics, baseball, or gymnastics has so many benefits for kids and young adults, both physically and mentally. But there are also pressures and challenges that come with training and tough competition, and many need some extra support to deal with it all.
Quiet crisis. This is a common way to describe mental health for athletes. It was referring to sort of what we weren’t hearing about very much. Let's face it, for a long time, mental health had such a strong stigma that in particular, athletes really just weren’t as willing to open up and share some of the struggles they were having.
But that quiet crisis has become a call to action now, according to several sports psychologists. More athletes are speaking up about the pressures they face. But what if they just can’t ask for help? Well, this is where adults intervene.
As a coach, It's necessary to know how to recognize mental issues for young athletes. For example, if they show shifts in mood or no longer find pleasure in activities they used to enjoy and if their performance decreases it might signal an issue. Other warning signs could include fatigue, restlessness, reduced appetite, trouble sleeping or being tardy for training sessions. They may also use pessimistic speech or heightened aggression towards teammates. Anyone who notices these indicators should provide assistance.
One of the biggest reasons behind these issues in youth sports is time management and the charged schedules that can add so much stress. But then there’s also pressure to perform; For youth soccer players, if you're a goalkeeper and you lose your place in the team's starting line up, this could be the end of your dream and ambition. Therefore, the fear of losing the coach's trust, or even a scholarship, constitutes a psychological obstacle.
It’s exhausting, right? Teenagers playing sports are working really hard. They’re spending a lot of time lifting and conditioning going through practices and potentially being injured. According to Header, sports psychologists need to play a stronger role to support this generation. They can help athletes work through challenges and develop coping skills. Plus, they can teach them things like time management techniques and relaxation strategies.
It's important for athletes to prioritize self-care and maintain a life outside of sports. Implementing strategies that focus on well-being can greatly benefit their overall mental health. Also, engaging in mindfulness practices is another approach to consider.
Are you seeking support? You don’t have to do it all alone, and sometimes it’s even better to do it with some help. Many academies and schools have sports psychologists available to help athletes, so young players can benefit from their assistance. For smaller establishments, you can find counsellors in the sports medicine departments of major health systems. You can also ask your coach or parent for help in finding the right support.
And it’s interesting, too, when you talk to young athletes because they’re always trying to stay tough and behave like adults, avoiding to look like they’re weak or they can’t handle the pressure. Thus, coaches need to explain to them that even adults ask for help if they feel stressed or need to talk.
To sum up…
There’s a growing recognition that anxiety, depression or stress in athletes aren't different from the physical injuries that they face. Providing the right help can really allow a child or teen to become stronger and feel better, not only as an athlete but as a person.
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