College Athletes Mental Struggles Research Paper

1943 Words4 Pages

Collegiate Athletes’ Mental Struggles Introduction Athletes of all levels are coached to devote themselves solely to their physical performance. They are taught to work with great effort and never show weakness. When it comes to college athletes, they work 10 times harder with 10 times more pressure. With their full focus on the future of their careers, college athletes juggle academic workloads and practice athletics nonstop. Collegiate athletes face immense pressure to prioritize their physical performance and athletic careers. They focus so intensely on their athletic execution that they stop caring about their mental well-being. College coaches add even more pressure to these athletes, encouraging them to keep trying and never giving them …show more content…

struggle with juggling academics and their personal lives on a daily basis. College athletes, specifically, seem to carry more weight on their shoulders. Between high commitment athletics, priority academics, and extracurricular activities, this leaves collegiate athletes with a lack of additional time. The overwhelming amount of major activities in college athletes' lives that have a large impact on their futures can leave them struggling with their mental health. It can lead to various mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, or even thoughts or actions related to suicide. According to an article by Meredith Hutchinson, Hannah Steven, BJ Johnson, Mir Hagans, and Chloe Schaefgen, five credible college students from Duke University, “One study shows that around 33% of all college students will experience serious mental health struggles, such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Among this group, around 30% seek help through college resources. However, of college athletes experiencing mental health struggles, only around 10% seek help. College athletes are taught to be mentally tough so often that they never seek help when they face a true issue because they don’t want to show weakness or vulnerability.” College athletes are taught to never show weakness and always appear fearless. Because it’s so difficult for them to be vulnerable or show any weakness, these athletes tend to struggle with more …show more content…

However, it's crucial to recognize that neglecting mental health can lead to long-term negative outcomes on both performance and overall mental well-being, decreased motivation, and even burnout. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Burnout manifests as emotional exhaustion, loss of meaning at work, and feelings of ineffectiveness.” Burnout can often lead to depression. While an athlete’s physical performance can be excellent, they won't fully achieve success if they aren’t mentally well. By prioritizing mental health, athletes can develop resilience, improve focus, and maintain a healthy balance in their lives, ultimately enhancing their athletic performance. Physical performance is tied to mental wellness. It’s important to take a holistic approach that considers both physical and mental

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