By Sophie Tuan
As an athlete it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly striving for a goal that is always just out of reach. These feelings can create burnout, stress, anxiety and depression. Under so much pressure — from parents, coaches, and your own mind — it is easy to lose sight of the love you once felt for your sport. Athletes especially are instilled with a mindset of “just tough it out” or “keep pushing,” oftentimes seen as mental toughness and encouraged by the sports community. Initially pressure can push athletes to excel and strive to work harder; however, when the constant pressure of performing goes from beneficial to detrimental, it is a sign to seek help. Although mental health is often seen as less important than physical health, athletes need both to maintain a high level of performance.
Athletes are more vulnerable to mental health disorders due to the high stress environment they are constantly in. The most common disorders include depression, burnout, anxiety, and eating disorders. Roughly 35% of all elite athletes struggle with mental illness; a study found that 1 in 5 athletes met clinical standards for anxiety or depression. Additionally, recent studies show that female athletes were two times more likely to experience symptoms than their male counterparts (source 1). It is a common misconception that athletes are more immune to depression because “exercise makes you happy.” The results of various recent studies have proven otherwise. In addition to the high stress environment athletes immerse themselves in, withdrawal from sports due to injury, overtraining, or the end of their career can cause depressive episodes. Symptoms include: lack of motivation, social isolation, increased irritability, and changes in eating (source 2).
Sports can perpetuate an unhealthy ideal of body image with stereotypes of “fitness” that encourage extreme dieting, unhealthy weight loss and restricted eating habits. The most common eating disorders seen in athletes include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Female athletes are much more likely to experience eating disorders. Athletes are often resistant to getting help as they fear that it will hurt them during competition.
Accessing mental health resources is crucial to elite performance. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength; the betterment of yourself and priority of your health. If you feel you need mental health counseling, contact the Athlete Mental Health Resource Hub.