ATHLETES AND MENTAL HEALTH
Understanding the Mental Health Issues Facing Athletes
Athletes are some of the most dedicated, hard-working individuals on the planet. Whether you’re a high school gymnast or a Major League Baseball player, you dedicate nearly all of your time to fine-tuning both your physical and mental health to be the best you can be for yourself and your teammates. Chances are, you never feel more alive than when you’re out on the field or the court, playing the game you love.
While there are many perks to becoming an athlete, it’s important to note that there is a serious mental health crisis among athletes. 35% of elite athletes are experiencing mental health disorders such as eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and burnout – and understandably so, as being an athlete can be a grueling, high-stakes experience. You feel constant pressure to not only meet but exceed the expectations of your coaches, your teammates, and the people watching on TV or in the stands – not to mention all that you have to sacrifice, including having to forego time spent with your family and friends, missing holidays due to intensive game and practice schedules, etc. Becoming an athlete of any sort can be a very isolating and anxiety-provoking experience, contributing to the onset of mental health disorders. Nearly every athlete understands that when your mental health is not on point, it becomes that much more difficult to play well in the sport that you love.
Treatment Approach for Athletes
Our ethical codes and privacy laws are the highest priority with all of our clients. We understand that professional athletes may require additional layers of privacy and protection. At SYTI counseling, we have experience in making appropriate accommodations to clients who are recognizable in public. Our treatment approach with athletes first and foremost includes flexibility, as we understand your training and games are one of the top priorities for you. We utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and Humanistic therapy to help you achieve a greater balance in your life and learn how to manage the pressure that comes with being an athlete. We will teach you skills that you can use both on and off the field to ease your symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, we will guide you as you learn more about yourself and your needs, both as a human being and an athlete. It is worth repeating that being an athlete is one of the greatest, yet most challenging jobs. You deserve to be able to play the game you love without the burden of mental health symptoms, and we can absolutely help you with that.
Scheduling and More Information
If you are a member of the athletic community and seeking treatment and support, please click here to book a therapy appointment with a See You Through It Counseling therapist.
To learn more about the treatment services See You Through It Counseling provides, check out our treatment specialties.
To read more about the mental health issues faced by the athletic community, check out the resource below:
Athlete Mental Health 2023: Statistics And Trends • GITNUX
