With a busy schedule both in and out of school, high school student-athletes have a lot on their plates. While many have shown to succeed both academically and athletically, the toll the balance takes on mental health is often overlooked.
With the spring sports season in full swing this time of year, many students are busy with athletics. In highschool sports, athletes are often subject to constant competition, sometimes two or three times a week. While this provides many opportunities, it can also make life feel more hectic and force athletes to narrow down their priorities.
Aside from the energy toll sports take, the time commitment for these extracurriculars is also very significant. “It’s important to prioritize mental health, especially as a student athlete to help deal with the stress it comes from balancing school and practices,” said varsity soccer player Bria Martell. “I think most student athletes overlook mental health and don’t realize how it can take a toll on your performances in academics and sports,” Martell added.
Maintaining a balance can become difficult, especially when there is constant pressure to compete at a high level. Many athletes’ confidence stems from their performance, and when faced with the inevitable ups and downs of athletics, this confidence can suffer and lead to problems in other areas of their lives.
Mental health is also vital when it comes to finding success in competition. “It is very important to prioritize your mental health as a student athlete because I think your mindset and headspace impacts your physical performance,” said track state champion Arielle Johnson.
Being a high-level athlete requires a major commitment that makes it easy for someone to root their identity in their sport. With so many factors outside of a student-athlete’s control, such as injuries or stresses in life, this reliance on a sport can create a toxic success-based outlook, altering how athletes view themselves.
Mental health is an easy thing to neglect, especially for an athlete that is already spread thin. “It’s not a tangible thing and can be hard to understand or get through,” Johnson said.Just because an athlete seems to prioritize all the right things doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling internally. It is important to spread awareness for mental health and create environments where athletes can work through the stresses of their sport in a healthy, sustainable manner.
