Student-Athlete mental health
Mental Health Resources
- Westchester County Crisis Prevention & Response Line (914) 925- 5959
- National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 9-8-8 (text or call)
- Rye Youth Council Restore (Youth Counseling Services for youth ages 10-22): (914) 222-0988
- RYC RESTORE Confidential Email: restore@ryeyouthcouncil.org
- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+): 1-866-488-7386
- Rye High School Psychologists: Dr. Robert Schechter | email: schechter.robert@ryeschools.org and Ms. Rosie Smith | email: smith.rosie@ryeschools.org
- Rye High School Social Worker: Ms. Sandy Degenhardt | email: degenhardt.sandy@ryeschools.org
- Westchester County Office of Mental Health Online Resource Directory
Prevalence of Mental Health Challenges
- 1 in 4 teens lives with a diagnosable mental health condition
- 50% of all mental illness begin by age 14, 75% by age 24
- 15% of youth experienced a major depressive episode this past year
- 54% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment
- 42% of high school athletes struggle with some form of disordered eating
- Student athletes are estimated to experience mental health challenges at higher rates than non athletes due to factors associated with balancing sports, school, family, and social life
- Student athletes are also statistically less likely to reach out and ask for help when experiencing a mental health challenge, largely as a result of stigma surrounding the conversation of mental health and the culture of toughness within athletics
- Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S
- Athletes commonly experience injuries such as sprains, tears, and fractures… how are these ailments viewed differently from mental health challenges?
Signs and Symptoms of Common Mental Health Challenges
*Always tell a trusted adult or call 911 if anyone you know mentions thoughts of suicide*
Anxiety
Any of the following symptoms that last for two or more weeks may be a sign of anxiety:
- Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge.
- Being easily fatigued.
- Having difficulty concentrating.
- Being irritable.
- Having headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or unexplained pains.
- Difficulty controlling feelings of worry.
- Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep.
- Beginning to use or increasing use of alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, or other drugs
Depression
Any of the following symptoms that last for 2 or more weeks may be a sign of depression:
- Feeling sad or empty
- Feeling tired or less energetic
- Irritability, unexplained anger, and/or aggressiveness
- Restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Isolating oneself from loved ones; feeling alone
- Loss of interest in things that one normally enjoys
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns; changes in weight
- Thoughts of suicide
- Regular and unexplained aches and pains
- Beginning to use or increasing use of Alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, or other drugs
Eating Disorders
Behavioral
- Skipping meals or taking small portions
- Extreme mood swings
- Extreme concern with body size and shape
- Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
- Refusal to eat certain food groups
- Obsession with weight loss, dieting, and control of food
- Food rituals (only eating certain food groups, etc)
- Becoming uncomfortable eating around others
- Obsession with intense exercise (working out after practice, skipping rest days etc)
Physiological
- Noticeable weight fluctuations (up or down)
- Menstrual irregularities
- Difficulty concentrating
- Abnormal blood work (ie: anemia)
- Dizziness, fainting
- Constantly feeling cold
- Sleep problems
- Dental problems
- Muscle weakness
- Imparied immune functioning
- Fine hair on body, dry skin/hair, brittle nails
Top 12 Takeaways for Student Athletes
Top 12 Takeaways:
- Mental health is a key component of physical and mental wellness.
- Mental health challenges impede athletic performance and overall quality of life.
- Team culture plays a large role in how mental health challenges are discussed and navigated.
- Supporting your fellow teammates’ mental wellbeing and honoring your own will result in increased team performance and cohesion.
- Use of substances (Alcohol, Nicotine, Marijuana, and other Drugs) can hinder athletic performance, lead to mental health challenges, or worsen existing mental health challenges.
- Getting in a routine that encourages wellness can improve quality of life and athletic performance .
- There are several self-soothing strategies one can use to navigate stress and negative emotions or thoughts (see below!).
- Reframing your mindset to positive psychology and positive self-talk can actually help performance and enhance a love for the game.
- Many elite athletes are calling attention to the need to prioritize mental wellness in order to reach their full potential as a person and an athlete.
- Half of individuals who will experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime will experience one by the age of 14
- The sooner an individual seeks treatment for a mental health challenge, the better the outcome
- Experiencing a mental health challenge is increasingly common; there is no shame in taking the time and effort to figure out what you need to succeed and honor those needs. Help helps!
How Stress and Anxiety Affect the Body
Everyone has anxiety from time to time, but chronic anxiety can interfere with your quality of life. While perhaps most recognized for behavioral changes, anxiety can also have serious consequences on your physical health. Read this article for an excellent visual and more information: 12 Effects of Anxiety on the Body (healthline.com)
Self-soothing Techniques
- Find a quiet space where you can sit or lie down, if possible (or your favorite spot in a familiar building)
- Close your eyes
- Breath in through your nose for 5 seconds, hold your breath for 5 seconds, slowly breath out of your mouth for 5 seconds and let the “bad” air leave your body; repeat until breathing has returned to normal
- Recognize 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste in your environment to ground yourself
- Drink water or splash cool water on your face; or take a cold shower
- Find clothing, blankets, textures, etc. that are comforting and surround yourself with me or a sentimental object
- Progressive muscle relaxation– tensing and relaxing individual muscles
- Stretch, roll head around
- Clench and release fists
- Squeeze a stress ball, chair arm, sweatshirt, etc.
- Push your heels into the ground and notice your connection to the floor
- Place a cool washcloth on your face
- Spend time with or walk a pet
- Listen to a calm music (whatever that means to you)
- It may take time to find the right soothing activity that works for you, and you may utilize different tools in different situations; be patient with yourself as you discover what works best for you
Think of these options as a menu– choose 1 to 2 to try for the next 2 weeks and reflect on how you feel afterward