While the stigma against mental illness is decreasing, high school student-athletes in America are still failing to receive adequate support necessary to overcome their ongoing mental health battles on and off the field.
Some states, however, recognize the need for increased mental health support within high school athletic departments. In October 2023, Ohio passed state legislature with the intent to aid high school athletes with mental health struggles. Now, there is a requirement for high school coaches to provide mental health training to their athletes. Since anxiety and depression have become worse post-pandemic, student-athletes experience greater feelings of failure and pressure.
As a student-athlete, I am relieved that states like Ohio are implementing stronger mental health initiatives for high school athletes– a highly overlooked segment when it comes to teen mental health. I believe we are overlooked due to the misconception that athletes are “perfect.” Moreover, since we exercise regularly, we do not need further mental health treatments or discussions. Any time a male student-athlete is feeling “down” or “not himself,” he is simply told by the coach to just get on the field and “man up.”
When this pressure is unchecked, many student-athletes suffer silently with anxiety, depression and even suicidal ideation. Thus, I believe California should take further action to support high school athletes who are suffering with mental illnesses.
Media coverage has since advocated the many stories of students athletes struggling with depression, anxiety, OCD and even suicidal ideation. In March 2022, Sarah Fuller, the goalkeeper for the University of North Texas, began to spread awareness for mental health. After experiencing her own mental illness and after at least five student athletes in the time span of two months had committed suicide, she spoke out.
Throughout my athletic and academic pursuit, I, along with various teammates, have combated mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. However, I kept these struggles to myself as I did not want to burden my teammates or coach.
I will never forget my first anxiety attack. I had just stepped onto the field, when I suddenly felt a fluttering sensation within my chest, as if my heart was trying to escape my body. With this feeling intensifying my whole body, I felt as if time was beginning to slow down. The field, the one place I relied on to bring me comfort, was now the place haunting me.
It wasn’t until I opened up to a teammate of mine, where we discovered together how many student athletes also face these unspoken issues. We as a team came to the consensus that many of us were struggling either from anxiety or depression due to the stress of wanting to be recruited by the collegiate level.
With such a heightened volume of student athletes wanting to be recruited, it serves as a surprise that only 1% of high school athletes get a full ride to play sports in college and fewer than 2% receive any athletic scholarship.
Academically, we as students already feel an abnormal amount of pressure to gain admission into top universities, which is why we resort to external activities such as sports to relieve us from our worries. However, where do we turn to for mental health support when our sports begin to add to our stress, anxieties and depression?
If student athletes spend the majority of their time at school and at sports practices, then help must first start at the school level. In order to achieve this goal, there needs to be proper mental health resources set in place at all school districts. Moreover, specifically for student athletes wanting to pursue an academic and athletic journey at the collegiate level.
I believe California would benefit from the type of legislature Ohio had passed. California as a state can do much more to support high school student athletes by involving coaches within campus mental health programs. If coaches can better understand the pressures that student athletes face, then they can work together to create a healthier and more empowering sporting environment. In turn, student athletes won’t feel so isolated with their mental health problems and can feel safe confiding in their coaches.
Overall, tackling mental health issues amongst all high school students would be more effective. Moreover, by acknowledging how much pressure there is to become successful. To get all A’s. To get into the top college. To be recruited by a Division One school. These cannot be the only ways high school students can feel better about themselves. As a society, we must re-think the ways in which we approach mental health. It must become a conversation, rather than handful of mental health brochures at the school nurse’s office.
Thankfully, the talk of implementing local youth mental health boards is becoming a popular topic.
In California, a local bill, AB 2411: Local Youth Mental Health Boards, has been introduced in the House. I believe this is a good sign of positive change. Through opening more collaborative efforts between adults and youth, we can create more sustainable and effective approaches to mental health, especially amongst high school athletes.
By fostering a culture of understanding and compassion within the athletic community, we can ensure that no student athlete has to suffer in silence. Together, we can build a future where the mental well-being of high school athletes is prioritized just as much as their physical performance, creating a healthier and more supportive environment for all.
