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Mental Health Wellness Toolbox For College Athletes

By: Joseph McLaughlin

Mental Health in College Athletes

Mental health is an overlooked aspect in today's society, especially within athletes. College athletes have an immoderate workload that pushes their brain and their body to the limit. This workload can cause extreme amounts of stress and anxiety that lead to mental health issues. Although some overlook the mental health of collegiate athletes and think it should not be a top priority, the NCAA should provide more mental health services for its student-athletes due to increased stress and anxiety rates based upon their lessened time to complete their academic workload.

Mental Health Toolbox

Signs of Poor Mental Health

There are many signs of poor mental health, and they can vary depending upon the specific issue. The common signs of poor mental health include:

1. Feeling overwhelmed

2. Difficulty sleeping

3. Anxiety

4. Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities

5. Withdrawal from social activities

6. Feelings of sadness/hopelessness

7. Difficulty concentrating

8. Mood swings / emotional outburst

9. Changes in appetite or diet

10. Anger

** It is vital to note that everyone has experienced some of these feelings at some point, but if they persist and start to interfere with one's daily activities, it may be a sign of poor mental health / mental health issues. It is essential to seek help in order to get better. Treatment can help one manage their symptoms and improve their overall well being.

Signs of Poor Mental Health

Positive Mental Health Activities

Activities

Activities can be imperative in the success of one's mind. Being active helps reduce negative mood feelings, anxiety, and depression. Getting your mind off of the harder things in life can be extremely beneficial.

11. Work out

12. Attend a support group

13. Go on a bike ride

14. Go swimming

15. Try a new instrument

1. Write down accomplishments

2. Go on a hike

3. Perform breathing exercises

4. Listen to music

5. Read a book

6. Make a to-do list

7. Make a drawing or painting

8. Limit screen time

9. Meet new people at an outing

10. Play in an intramural sport

Mental Health Resources

Resources

Mental health service in Durango, Colorado - https://mountainmentalhealthclinic.com/

This is the most reliable and liked mental health resource in Durango, Colorado. It can be a useful resource for athletess among Fort Lewis College who are struggling with mental health issues. Receiving help may be the only way to get better; college athletes must seek help if it is needed.

Only 10% of student athletes with known mental health issues seek the help they need.

Mental health resources specifically for athletes:

https://aaadfoundation.org/

"Athletes against anxiety and depression" provides many useful resources and services for any athlete who is struggling with their mental health.

https://adaa.org/webinar/consumer/managing-stress-sports-quieting-mind-and-body

Sports can be a way to relieve stress, yet may also cause it. Stress is seen in most college athletes, as they have a heavy workload. This link helps describe that stress and ways to relieve it.

https://www.athletesforhope.org/what-we-do/afh-mental-health/

Athletes for hope provides NCAA athletes who overcame their mental health issues and explored possible solutions. It also contains many helpful resources for college athletes to utilize.

Work Cited

Bird, Matthew D., et al. “Student-Athlete and Student Non-Athletes’ Stigma and Attitudes toward Seeking Online and Face-to-Face Counseling.” Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, vol. 12, no. 3, 2018, pp. 347–364., https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2017-0010.

Brown, Braden J., et al. “NCAA Student-Athlete Mental Health and Wellness: A Biopsychosocial Examination.” Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, vol. 59, no. 3, 2021, pp. 252–267.

Brown, Kirsty R., et al. “Athletes’ Access to, Attitudes towards, and Experiences of Help-Seeking for Mental Health: A Scoping Review Protocol.” 2022, https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.02.18.22271182.

Bu, Danran, et al. “Mental Health Literacy Intervention on Help-Seeking in Athletes: A Systematic Review.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 19, 2020, p. 7263., https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197263.

Hilliard, Robert C. “Stigma, Attitudes, and Intentions to Seek Mental Health Services in College Student-Athletes.” Vol. 70, no. 5, 2022

Hudgins, Ryan. “Is the NCAA Doing Enough to Protect Mental Health?” WhoWhatWhy, 16 Aug. 2022, https://whowhatwhy.org/apprentice-stories/is-the-ncaa-doing-enough-to-protect-mental-health/

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