Final stretch of the school year sounds exciting right? The problem is that there is a lot more stress, anxiety, work load, and big sports events that go with it. Many students here at JDHS are experiencing this right now, and it’s important to remind everyone that taking care of yourself is the most important thing.
May is mental health awareness month and we as athletes were curious as to how other athletes deal with the stress and pressure of the athletic season.
Athletes can face many different challenges in mental health. Pressure put on them by parents, coaches, or even themselves can cause different mental health issues. Jamesville-Dewitt High School social worker Will Hartley, who is also the JV girls lacrosse assistant coach, said “some people who are really into their sports can put a lot of sports anxiety onto themselves, like they are constantly worrying about how they are playing, that kind of stuff.” Stress and depression can occur from wanting to fulfill what is being asked of them, or failing to complete the tasks put on them.
Freshman Ava Winger said, “I feel like sports and school is, like, a really big factor of my mental health, since I have to put so much time and energy into my schoolwork for not just homework, but also for studying for quizzes, trying to understand concepts for specific classes, and then after school, we have sports, which we put our physical time and energy into, and it can really affect your body and your mental health, especially if you have physical injuries and you are trying to get back into the sport you’re playing.” Winger also said, “It’s an overwhelming feeling of anxiety and then I start to shake a little, and I’ll bite my fingernails. When that happens, I usually just listen to music.”
Certain sports can also cause athletes to want to maintain a certain body type, leading to eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. Athletes can feel the need to maintain a certain body image for many reasons. According to TrueSport, an athletic magazine, “certain sports value specific weights and body types more than others. Athletes will deal with puberty in different ways, and some student athletes struggle with control in other areas of their lives, which can lead to body image issues and unhealthy behaviors around food and exercise.” This shows that many athletes can have negative body image from several different sources. This is an unhealthy practice which can be hard to break so if you struggle with this, talk to a trusted adult.
Another outlet to talk to when you are struggling is your teammates. Freshman Pearson Eckrich and junior Madelyn Murphy both said that one of their main support systems was their team. Murphy says, “We are all going through the same thing, so why not rely on each other to get through it, you know?”
According to McLean Hospital “A 2019 study found that about 35% of athletes have mental health concerns. The top issues reported by athletes included feelings of burnout, depression, and anxiety.” These stressors could be caused by a number of different things such as the rigorous school/sports schedule that they have. Bad mental health can deteriorate grades, friendships, relationships, and performance which its why it is so important to nourish your mental health as you would your mental health.
Athletics can also benefit athletes’ mental health. According to an article written by Rachel Vanderkruik, PhD, a Mass General Brigham psychologist, “There are many aspects of sport that can benefit mental health, including physical activity and social connections to teammates and a sports community, however, the same risk factors that exist for any kind of mental illness certainly apply for athletes. For example, you may be more at risk if you have a personal or family history of mental illness, social isolation, or significant life stressors.”
