By David Smith, M.Sc., CSCS., SDL (He/Him)
World Mental Health Day is recognized every October 10th toward raising awareness on mental health and help mobilize efforts to support mental health. This is important for overcoming social stigmas surrounding mental health to ensure that everybody is able to develop knowledge and awareness surrounding issues affecting mental health. Especially in regard to connecting with resources and social support structures.
Sport is a field that faces a lot of unique considerations in regard to mental health, especially as it affects athletes and coaches. Prominent athletes like Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Chloe Kim, Gracie Gold, Kevin Love, Tacko Fall, Brandon Marshall and so many others have shared their own experiences and mental health struggles. Highlighting that even the best athletes in the world are all human.
Competitive sports can lend itself to different mental health challenges that athletes can face, including…
🤸♀️ Performance anxiety (fear of disappointing others, making mistakes, performing under pressure).
🤸♀️ Stress (balancing athletic demands with academics, work, personal life).
🤸♀️ Emotions (losing an important game, dealing with injury, post-Olympic blues).
Sometimes the effects of anxiety, stress, and emotions can become too great, leading to negative effects on performance or even performance collapse (often known as the Yips). Such as what happened to Simone Biles at the 2020 Olympics when she reported she got the “twisties”.
“It doesn’t feel comfortable, I have no idea where I am, but I’m twisting, praying I land on my feet,” Biles said on a podcast. “I felt like I was fighting my body and my mind to do these tricks. Your mind and your body are at a disconnect. Your body is going to try to do something, and your mind is going to be like, ‘No, you’re not doing this,’” Biles explained.
So how can athletes be more cognizant of their mental health and “train” to ensure they their body and mind are in a healthy and sustainable state?
🤸♀️ Take recovery days, time off away from sport. Let your body and mind rest.
🤸♀️ Find other hobbies and activities to do outside of sport and training.
🤸♀️ Develop and practice self-care strategies.
🤸♀️ Work with a sport psychology practitioner or mental health professional.
Sport psychs are important for preventative care, helping you learn coping strategies and navigating the pressures and stress of sport and life. If you need more clinical care, they can help connect you with a licensed mental health professional who can work with you as well.
We all face challenges in our life that can shake us to our core. It’s these same challenges that help us to better learn who we are and what we’re capable of. While we are powerful alone, we are stronger together.
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