Main Issue/Problem
The mental health of student-athletes is a critical issue that requires attention and should be addressed as effectively and rapidly as possible. Approximately 31.9 percent of all young individuals today suffer from mental health problems. Studies conducted across the United States indicate that one out of every five individuals aged 18 years and above experience some type of mental health problem. Suicide is ranked the second leading cause of death among people between the age of 10 and 24 years. Across the United States, mental health is an issue that is not discussed on a wide range, especially among athletes ( Barnard, 2016 ). This is because they are perceived as an elite category in learning institutions such as colleges. The stigma associated with mental health makes it difficult for athletes to look for help. Concerns and fear of being perceived weak prevent athletes with mental health issues from seeking treatment or professional help.
In difficult situations, student-athletes suffering from mental health problems commit suicide and other self-violence actions if the problem is not treated/addressed. Every year, approximately one out of every hundred thousand student-athletes at the college level commit suicide ( Barnard, 2016 ). Based on the fact that there are an estimated 460,000 student-athletes in colleges, approximately four of them commit suicide every year, and the number is constantly increasing. From a very tender age, athletes learn that they ought to be tough and manage through the pain they suffer and the injuries experienced (Kaier, et al, 2015). As a result, this mentality encourages them to handle their mental health in the same way and has caused stigma related to mental health problems. Approximately 15 percent of all student-athletes in colleges suffer from mental health issues that are severe enough to require professional help .
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Although engaging in sports regularly can improve both mental and physical wellbeing, for serious athletes in high schools who may require an athletic scholarship in order to join college, sports can contribute to mental health issues such as depression. In the past fifteen years, the prevalence of mental health problems such as depression in scholastic athletes has significantly grown. According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, most student-athletes have increased rates of negative emotions compared to their non-athlete counterparts. Although sports administrators are in a good position to solve the problem, they, in most cases, do not address it. Athletics departments in universities and colleges play a crucial role in assisting student-athletes experiencing mental health problems and respond to the needs of those who require help (Bauman, 2016). Through different strategies, athletics departments can reduce the horrific statistic related to the adverse outcomes of mental health issues among student-athletes.
From a young age, individuals who are taught have suffered from a mental health-related illness mean that one is not stable and, if identified, may cause them to be seen as outcasts in a community. There is a need to address this stigma, especially among student-athletes. Both student-athletes and their coaches need to understand the need to seek assistance for student-athletes experiencing mental health problems. In most cases, coaches do not identify the signs of symptoms of mental health problems among student-athletes or may not know how to address the issue with a suffering athlete (Barnard, 2016). Athletics departments should not only produce the best student-athletes but also offer help to those who require psychological assistance.
The Central Question
The main question is “How can athletic administrators better prepare student-athletes with mental health issues?”
Why the Issue is Compelling
The issue of mental health among student-athletes is compelling because it is not widely discussed, and in most cases, athletes are not included in the discourse. This is because, as previously stated, they are seen as an elite category of people who are not expected to portray weakness or to be vulnerable. In reality, student-athletes, in most cases, experience mental health problems because of the daily stressors they encounter by being both students and athletes (Kroshus, 2016). Aspects such as psychological stress and injuries place student-athletes at an increased risk of developing mental problems such as depression. The pressure to be successful can cause athletes to place their athletics goals above other essential needs hence make it difficult to discuss significant problems. Increased passion, as well as striving for individual goals, can become stumbling blocks and, in most cases, may cause issues such as depression. In order to relish positive feedback, succeed, and receive attention from their coaches, student-athletes experience the pressure to remain focused on the performance aspect of their relationships with their coaches (Ryan et al, 2018). As a consequence, they hide their struggles and the need for psychological support. Therefore, to prevent mental health-related problems such as suicide, anxiety, and depression, among others, it is essential to understand the problems, how student-athlete handle them and what athletics departments can do to assist them.
Intended Target Audience
The intended audience of this research proposal is athletics administrators. Athletics administrators are professionals who oversee and coordinate athletic initiatives in learning institutions. They supervise how coaches conduct their work and all the staff who take part in athletic programs. Athletic administrators are best placed to implement programs or strategies in athletics departments to help student-athletes suffering from mental health problems. They can work with coaches and other staff to better prepare student-athletes with mental health problems.
References
Barnard, J. D. (2016). Student-Athletes’ Perceptions of Mental Illness and Attitudes toward Help-Seeking . Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 30 (3), 161- 175. doi:10.1080/87568225.2016.1177421
Bauman, N. J. (2016). The stigma of mental health in athletes: are mental toughness and mental health seen as contradictory in elite sport? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50 (3), 135-136. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095570
Kaier, E., Cromer, L. D., Johnson, M. D., Strunk, K., & Davis, J. L. (2015). Perceptions of mental illness stigma: Comparisons of athletes to Nonathlete peers. Journal of College Student Development , 56 (7), 735-739. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2015.0079
Kroshus, E. (2016). Variability in Institutional Screening Practices Related to Collegiate Student-Athlete Mental Health. Journal of Athletic Training (Allen Press), 51 (5), 389 397. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-51.5.07
Ryan, H., Gayles, J. G., & Bell, L. (2018). Student-athletes and mental health experiences. New Directions for Student Services , 2018 (163), 67-79. https://doi.org/10.1002/ss.20271
