More Than an Athlete: Exploring Mental Health Concerns Among Student-Athletes

Within the United States, student-athletes experience the psychological and physiological effects of collegiate sports; however, student-athletes may not feel comfortable accessing mental health care resources or there may be inadequate resources available. This study sought to assess personal and environmental deterrents to the well-being and athletic performance of collegiate athletes. Through a series of qualitative interviews with 11 student-athletes from a small, Midwestern university, researchers investigated mental health stigmas in athletics, barriers to psychological resources, and the necessity for sports psychology interventions on-campus. The interview questions focused on student athletes’ level of perceived mental health support from campus and coaches. The transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four common themes emerged: personal identity struggles, negative stigmas surrounding athletic environments, barriers to mental health resources, and desires for professional intervention. Among the participants, 81% reported enduring moderate to severe psychological hardship with limited resources available to support them. The results indicated a persistent pattern of diminished self-worth and exacerbated psychological symptoms due to athletic performance. These findings present a significant demand for sports psychology and/or professional mental health resources on college campuses, as well as implications for additional methods of sports-related interventions.