UNC Asheville student-athletes face intense pressures from high expectations, demanding schedules, social media and stigma, affecting their mental health and performance.
“Mental health can affect everyone and it’s something that we are dealing with every day,” said Karen Howard-Goss, the director of student-athlete resources.
According to the NCAA, recent data reveals that student-athletes continue to experience high rates of exhaustion, anxiety and depression, with many of them feeling alone and hopeless. Only half of them feel safe asking a campus mental health professional for help.
“Student-athletes are often expected to be strong, competitive and to win. They don’t want to show that fragile side, which is mental health,” Howard-Goss said. Even though it’s crucial for athletes to perform well, this culture of strength can occasionally keep them from help when they most need it.
Research from the American College of Sport Medicine showed that around 30% of female and 25% of male student-athletes reported having anxiety. It also found that about 35% of professional athletes experience anxiety, depression, burnout or disordered eating.
“We put pressure on ourselves, holding ourselves to a high standard,” said Riley Edmundson, Captain of the swim and dive team and mental health ambassador.
This self-imposed pressure can lead to mental strain, especially in cases where student-athletes feel they aren’t meeting their own expectation performance and practice wise.
“Not meeting your expectations or not having good practices can put extra pressure on your mind,” Edmundson said.
According to Howard-Goss, this constant pressure to perform can lead to mental health issues, as student-athletes struggle to meet both internal and external expectations.
“The schedule of a student-athlete is really demanding and it can be even harder when they feel they have to meet everyone’s expectations and prove that they are good athletes,” Howard-Goss said.
Injuries are another significant factor affecting the mental health of student-athletes according to Laure Jones, coordinator of mental health services at UNC Asheville Athletics.
“Injuries can affect someone’s mental health, as it can take away their ability to perform and practice, which are central to their identity as athletes,” Jones said.
According to Edmundson, for student-athletes already facing intense pressure, social media can increase these struggles, making it harder to maintain a positive mindset.
“Social media plays a role in our mental health. You have access to constantly compare yourself with other athletes,” Edmundson said.
People not understanding the amount of demands and expectations a student-athlete has is another element that leads to extra anxiety, according to Jones.
“Not many people understand the level of expectations student-athletes have to face,” Jones said.
According to Edmundson, mental health is the foundation for everything else in life.
“Mental health is important because it is the first step to continue your life. You need to prioritize your mental health to enjoy your life,” Edmundson said. “You will be with yourself for the rest of your life, so loving yourself will help you love everything you do.
According to Jones, 98% of athletes don’t want to be treated differently by their coaches but they seek understanding and support in managing their busy schedules.
“Coaches need to support their athletes, not by being soft on them, but by being aware of all the other pressures they have,” Jones said.
One of the most challenging barriers for student-athletes is overcoming the stigma around mental health.
“Student-athletes tend to show that they are strong and don’t want to reveal their mental health struggles,” Howard-Goss said. “You are very powerful if you are asking for help. It’s a sign of strength and student-athletes should keep that in mind.”
According to Jones, UNCA athletics aims to create a culture where student-athletes feel supported and know that resources are available to them.
“The program aims to reduce stigma by letting student-athletes know that it’s okay to ask for help when you are struggling,” Jones said.
The Mental Health Ambassador Program started 3 years ago with 18 athletes and has now grown to 27.
“If you are aware of yourself and what you need, then you will be able to address what you need to improve your mental health,” Howard-Goss said.
Additional resources are available to student-athletes. MindFlow, a virtual program that connects them with sports psychologists and the Zone, a mental resilience app.
“You are not alone. Remember to have fun, remember why you started playing and remember who you are. Being a student-athlete is just one part of the bigger picture of who you are,” Jones said.
