This pressure looks like having good grades, performing well on the field, court, course, and balancing a social life. It is very hard to keep up with these things trying to juggle everything at the same time.
I care so deeply about the mental health of athletes because I have battled these issues myself. I became depressed and anxious all the time because I constantly thought that I needed to prove myself to everyone around me. I thought my identity was through my success on the softball field. I later found out that I am so much more than the sport I play.
I had let a coach ruin the sport I once loved. I hated the game of softball and I never thought that I could hate a sport that I have dedicated my life to. Taking a step back and making decisions that improved my mental health was one of my greatest accomplishments
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I am here to talk about how athletes are so much more than their sport. Athletes are so important to the ones around them and are cared about more than they know. They also do not need the approval from those around them on whether or not they are valued.
I want to raise awareness about the awful stigmas that surround student athletes and their mental health. I want to show that they are not weak for wanting to seek help in bettering themselves.
Hello! This is something I can absolutely relate to! I played sports my entire school career all the way through college. I played several sports but my main sport was cheerleading. And just like you it was something that I dedicated my life to, I did sideline cheer, gymnastics, and competitive cheerleading and the pressure that came along with it definitely took a toll on my mental health. The long hours after school, every weekend being taken up, the expectation to hold a certain reputation and to look a certain way while still maintaining good grades and a social life. Eventually I was diagnosed with severe depression and social anxiety and an eating disorder, and although being an athlete wasn't the main cause of my mental health spiraling, it definitely was doing more harm than good. So I quit.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the mental health of student athletes is something that should be taken serious and that people need to be more aware of the pressure they put on these young athletes from such a young age and the damage that it can cause.
Great post! I look forward to reading more posts from your blog!