For decades, the physical demands of sports have been emphasized, but the mental toll on athletes has often been overlooked. In recent years, however, the conversation around mental health in athletics has gained momentum, thanks to advocacy groups and high profile-athletes sharing their struggles.
Despite progress, challenges persist, and experts say that shifting the culture in sports is critical to ensuring athletes receive the support they need. Athletes operate in an environment that prioritizes results.
As Dr. Sacco of the Cleveland Clinic explains, “Day-to-day activities revolve around separating winners from losers. Opponents often look for and prey on any sign of weakness.”
This constant pressure, combined with a perfectionist mindset, can lead to feelings of burnout, anxiety, and depression.
A 2019 study from McLean Hospital found that approximately 35% of elite athletes experience mental health concerns. Many suffer in silence due to the stigma surrounding mental health in sports.
According to McLean, “Athletes should not be asked to push through mental pain any more than they should push through physical pain.”
Yet, many hesitate to seek help, fearing judgement or repercussions from coaches and teammates.
While the increasing discussion around mental health has been largely positive, it has also introduced new challenges. With more people talking about their struggles, mental health has, in some circles, become something of a social trend.
This shift has made it harder for some athletes to speak up, fearing that their struggles will be dismissed as attention-seeking or exaggerated.
“Athletes who feel supported are more likely to seek assistance,” McLean Hospital states.
However, in today’s digital age, where social media often blurs the lines between genuine experiences and performative discussions, some feel their struggles are overshadowed. The rise of people casually labeling everyday stress as serious mental health issues has led to skepticism, making it more difficult for those in real crisis to be taken seriously.
Athletes already battle the perception that mental health struggles indicate weakness. Now, they also face the challenge of proving the legitimacy of their experiences in a space where awareness has, in some cases, turned into overuse of the language surrounding mental health.
Student-athletes, in particular, face unique stressors. Between demanding training schedules, academic responsibilities, injuries, and travel, their mental health often takes a backseat. Research from HigherEdJobs highlights a concerning trend: while student-athletes experience depression and anxiety at rates similar to their non-athlete peers, they are far less likely to seek professional help.
Fear of being seen as weak, potential retribution from coaches, and a lack of trust in non-athletics personnel all contribute to this overall sense of reluctance.
However, the stigma is beginning to fade as more athletes and organizations bring awareness to the issue.
“Thankfully, prominent athletes sharing their experiences has drawn more attention to the topic in recent years,” says the Cleveland Clinic. “The ongoing discussion started by these influential voices has broadened the understanding of mental health issues in sports.”
Organizations like Morgan’s Message, The Hidden Opponent, Hope for Athletes, Katie’s Save, and the Youth Sports Mental Health and Wellness Alliance are working to normalize mental health conversations in athletics.
Morgan’s Message was founded in honor of Morgan Rodgers, a Duke women’s lacrosse player who died by suicide in 2019. The organization strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health by encouraging open discussions and providing support for student-athletes at the high school and college levels to advocate for mental health awareness within their own teams and communities.
The Youth Sports Mental Health and Wellness Alliance is taking a broader approach to change by working to ensure that mental health resources are accessible at all levels of youth athletics. This initiative focuses on providing education for coaches, parents, and athletes to recognize and address mental health concerns before they escalate.
The alliance aims to integrate mental health training into sports organizations, reinforcing the idea that an athlete’s well-being is just as important as their physical performance.
Another organization making an impact is Hope for Athletes, which focuses on building a support system for young athletes struggling with mental health. Through storytelling, advocacy, and community resources, Hope for Athletes empowers athletes to speak up and seek help.
The organization emphasizes that mental health challenges do not define an athlete, nor should they be a barrier to success. By creating an open dialogue and offering tangible testimonies, Hope for Athletes is helping shift the culture of sports to one where mental wellness is prioritized alongside physical performance.
While progress has been made, experts agree that more work needs to be done.
“Sports organizations must actively promote a culture of empathy and support,” states McLean Hospital.
Coaches, athletic departments, and teammates play a crucial role in creating an environment where athletes feel safe discussing their mental health without fear of consequences.
At the same time, there needs to be a balance between increasing awareness and maintaining the integrity of mental health discussions. For athletes struggling in silence, knowing their challenges are real and valid can be the first step toward seeking help.
Dr. Sacco urges parents and coaches to “give [athletes] a voice” and ensure they feel heard. “The risk of not addressing this is far greater in the long run.”
As conversations about mental health in sports continue to grow, the hope is that future generations of athletes will feel just as supported in their mental well-being as they are in their physical performance. The game is changing, but the work is far from over.
