MENTAL HEALTH IN COLLEGE-ATHLETES

Do you know the suffering of college-athletes?

According to the announcement of the NCAA website, 25% percent of Division I college athletes reported depressive symptoms while enrolled at a liberal arts university on the East Coast. Compared to men and women, women were about two times more likely to experience symptoms than male athletes. The reason why college-athletes have a mental problem is that they have both pressure and demands all the time. For example, winning or losing is determined by their performance, and many people, including coaches, require them to win. Also, social media has a large impact and often affects their feelings. In recent years, sports have been reported in social media, and TV or SNS such as twitter. Social media often do not contain positive comments. They often include negative comments and opinions. Furthermore, college-athletes have two roles: academics and sports. Daily training, managing bodies, full academic coursework, keeping good grades, and so on,  pressure these college-athletes. They always fear career-ending due to injuries or some other reasons. These burdens can lead to mental illness. Anxiety and Depression are familiar to many people, even professional athletes. Universities have mental health services or buildings, but sometimes college-athletes find those services difficult to use. Mental health services exclusively for college athletes should be created. It is important to separate college athletes from general students so that services are easier to use and more convenient for college-athletes with their difficult pressures. Also, the best way to help college-athletes is for family, friends, and people around them to understand their suffering and be available and support them. They may feel so much better after talking with someone. There are many sufferings behind the glory of athletes. It is important for college-athletes to have convenient access to university mental health services and local services.