Here are a few things student-athletes can do to protect their mental health and to prepare for the uncertainty that comes with COVID-19.
The past several months have surely been tough on all Americans, but our thoughts are specifically with the student-athletes and the families that we aim to serve here at Free Game Program. We can only imagine how tough it has been to navigate the world of youth sports at this time. Our hearts are with you. While sports are important, we at Free Game Program are more concerned with each student-athlete’s physical and mental health and their loved ones.
If you’re a student-athlete, some of you played your last game without having realized it. Some of you are high school seniors with no offers and a season that has been cut short. Others of you still have a chance to continue to play in hopes of securing an athletic scholarship, that is if your respected sports make it through the season without cancellation. Some of you were college seniors thrown into the real world, your college careers abruptly over because of COVID-19.
The NCAA surveyed student-athlete mental health during the pandemic.
A study conducted by the NCAA in May of 2020 took a look at the mental health of collegiate student-athletes in the midst of the pandemic. Of the 37,000 student-athletes surveyed, over a third of them reported having difficulty sleeping. Over a quarter reported feelings of sadness and a sense of loss after being affected by the pandemic and COVID-19.
Here are a few other conclusions from the survey:
- Mental health concerns were highest among respondents of color, those whose families are facing economic hardship
- College seniors reported a sense of loss at 1.5 times the rate of underclassmen
- Rates of mental health concerns were 150% to 250% higher than that historically reported by NCAA student-athletes
No matter your situation, one thing is for sure. Every student-athlete should prioritize mental health at this time. A lot has changed. We are not living in the same world that we were before. It’s okay if you’re having a hard time adjusting to this new version of life.
Student-athletes shouldn’t be ashamed of seeking help regarding struggles with mental health.
One thing that is difficult to do as a student-athlete is to separate mental toughness from mental health. We want student-athletes to remember that there is a time to push through and a time to stop and ask for help. Take a second to complete a mental health check.
Players, if you should ever need to speak with someone at any time about anything, a Free Game Program staff member is always available. You can message us here. You can also reach out to us on any of our social media platforms @freegameprogram.