ESSENTIAL READING
A collection of essential readings that delve into the unique challenges faced by student athletes and provide valuable insights into promoting mental wellness within collegiate sports programs. Drawing from diverse perspectives in sports psychology, counseling, and athlete advocacy, this anthology offers a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between athletics and mental health. Through personal narratives, research studies, and practical strategies, the selected readings tackle key issues such as performance anxiety, identity development, stress management, and the stigma surrounding mental illness in sports culture.
Student-athlete mental health, help-seeking, and service utilization: Implications for a multi-tiered, public health approach on college campuses.
The article looks at the relationship between mental health, help-seeking behavior, and treatment utilization among college student-athletes. To effectively address these concerns, employ a multi-tiered public health approach. The study underscores the unique stressors experienced by student-athletes, such as academic requirements, performance expectations, and managing athletics with personal life. It emphasizes the need to foster a supportive environment that normalizes help-seeking behaviors and lowers the stigma associated with mental health disorders. The paper suggests solutions for improving mental health services targeted to student-athletes needs, such as early intervention programs, peer support networks, and coordination between athletic departments and campus counseling facilities. The study emphasizes the importance of making proactive efforts to promote mental health and improve access to mental health resources for student-athletes on college campuses.
Examining the incidence of reporting mental health diagnosis between college student-athletes and non-athlete students and the impact on academic performance.
The study investigates the prevalence of mental health disorders reported by college student-athletes versus non-athlete students, as well as its impact on academic performance. It looks at the incidence of mental health concerns in both groups and whether being a student-athlete influences the likelihood of seeking help or disclosing mental health conditions. Furthermore, the study investigates how mental health diagnoses affect academic attainment in these individuals. It draws light on the unique challenges that student-athletes encounter, such as intense training schedules, high-performance expectations, and juggling athletics and academics. The study aims to discover discrepancies in mental health reporting and academic outcomes between student-athletes and non-athlete peers, as well as to recommend treatments to help both groups improve their mental health and academic performance.
ESSENTIAL READING
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Infographic Survey
The main takeaways from our survey are that student-athletes factor in performance pressures, injuries, and lack of support from staff when thinking about things that impact their mental health. Outcomes usually result in bad performances, not being able to perform, and negative self-talk. However, to come back to these factors individuals tend to reach out to friends, exercise, talk to family, or find faith.
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Coping mechanisms are incredibly important when it comes to managing and fighting mental health issues. They serve as practical tools that individuals can use to navigate and mitigate the challenges and symptoms associated with mental health problems. Having a variety of coping techniques at one’s disposal can give individuals a sense of control over their mental health, helping them feel empowered and proactive in their approach to self-care. For individuals in treatment or recovery from mental health issues, coping mechanisms are essential for sustaining progress and preventing relapse.
Common coping mechanisms include mindfulness meditation, physical exercise, journaling, talking with friends or therapists, engaging in hobbies, practicing relaxation techniques, and setting healthy boundaries. These techniques can vary from person to person, and individuals need to find the strategies that work best for them.
