May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to highlight the importance of what has become a widespread problem across the country. According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 American adults experience mental illness each year. The most recent survey data from NCAA research indicates that college athletes and coaches suffer from mental health issues similar to those of the general public.
According to a NCAA Student-Athlete Well-Being Study released last year, the number of student-athletes reporting mental health issues is 1.5 to two times higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. In January, the NCAA Coach Wellness Study reported that 40% of head coaches felt mentally exhausted on a near constant basis.
“The data illustrates what we hear almost daily from student-athletes, coaches and athletic department staff: Mental health issues are real and affect everyone,” said Brian Hainline, MD, MD. head of the NCAA. “It is imperative for all of us to continue speaking out about the issues to destigmatize what it means to look after your mental health and to elevate the voices of those who have the courage to do so.”
Mental health of student-athletes
Building on two student-athlete well-being studies conducted in 2020, NCAA researchers collaborated with the Sport Science Institute and the three divisions’ national student-athlete advisory committees to design and administer a wellness program. NCAA student-athlete well-being research. Study in fall 2021. The survey, released in May 2022, examined the experiences of 9,808 college athletes.
Respondents reported high rates of mental exhaustion and anxiety. Mental health concerns were highest among demographic subgroups generally showing higher rates of mental distress (e.g., women, student-athletes of color, those identifying on the queer spectrum, and those reporting family economic difficulties).
When it comes to the support student-athletes receive from coaches, teammates and campus staff, the survey found that:
- Two-thirds of student-athletes reported knowing where to go on campus for mental health concerns.
- A majority (56%) said they know how to help a teammate experiencing a mental health issue.
- Less than half (47%) felt comfortable personally seeking support from an on-campus mental health provider.
- Sixty-three percent of student-athletes feel their teammates take their peers’ mental health issues seriously.
- More than half (53%) said coaches take their student-athletes’ mental health issues seriously.
- Half of student-athletes believe mental health is a priority for their athletic department.
Student-athletes who agree or strongly agree with each statement regarding their mental health:
I know where to go on campus if I have mental health concerns: Men’s sports = 63%, Women’s sports = 69%.
I know how to help a teammate who is experiencing a mental health problem: Men’s sports = 56%, Women’s sports = 56%.
I would feel comfortable seeking support from a mental health provider on this campus: Men’s sports = 46%, Women’s sports = 48%.
My coaches take their student-athletes’ mental health issues seriously: Men’s sports = 59%, Women’s sports = 50%.
My teammates take their colleagues’ mental health issues seriously: Men’s sports = 58%, Women’s sports = 65%.
I believe the mental health of student-athletes is a priority for our athletic department: Men’s sports = 55%, Women’s sports = 47%.
Among student-athletes in the sample who were considering transferring, respondents identified mental health as an important reason for doing so, with 61% of female athletes and 40% of male athletes considering their mental health as part of the reason. decision.
Mental health coach
The national office examined coaches’ mental health as part of its NCAA Coaches Well-Being Study, released in January. The survey polled more than 6,000 head and assistant coaches across all three NCAA divisions and found mental health to be a critical issue.
One of the main themes identified in the survey was that coaches have felt significant and unique pressures in their work over the past few years, manifesting in high levels of stress and mental exhaustion. Like student-athletes and the American population in general, many
coaches report relatively high rates of mental health problems. Contributing factors include pandemic-related circumstances, roster management challenges, the changing transfer landscape, concerns about their job and athletic department budgets, and handling personal situations (e.g., financial worries, childcare problems). A third of coaches reported mental exhaustion, feeling overwhelmed by everything they had to do, and significant difficulty sleeping.
NCAA coaches who say “constantly” or “almost every day” when asked about their mental health issues.
I felt mentally exhausted: Head coaches = 40%, assistant/associate coaches = 36%
I felt overwhelmed by everything they had to do: Head coaches = 37%, assistant/associate coaches = 29%
Sleep difficulties encountered: Head coaches = 34%, assistant/associate coaches = 27%
Younger coaches in particular have reported higher rates of mental health issues, with coaches aged 40 or younger reporting higher rates than coaches over 40. Forty-six percent reported near-constant mental exhaustion, compared to 31% in older generations. Additionally, similar to what we observe in the student-athlete population, higher rates of mental health issues have been reported among women; those who are Black, Indigenous and people of color; and those on the queer spectrum.
Coaches who answered “constantly” or “almost every day” when asked about mental health issues by generation.
Mentally exhausted: Generation Z = 44%, Millennials = 46%, Generation X = 34%, Baby Boomers = 19%.
Overwhelmed by everything they had to do: Generation Z = 39%, Millennials = 41%, Generation X = 32%, Baby Boomers = 19%.
Overwhelming anxiety: Generation Z = 22%, Millennials = 19%, Generation X = 12%, Baby Boomers = 7%.
Very alone: Generation Z = 19%, Millennials = 15%, Generation X = 12%, Baby Boomers = 6%.
The survey also found that coaches are more concerned than ever about the mental health of student-athletes and how they can support them. More than 80% of coaches reported spending more time discussing mental health with student-athletes than before the pandemic. These coaches also indicated that the main issue facing the team they coached was supporting the mental health of student-athletes.
Mental health resources
If you are feeling isolated or experiencing other mental health concerns, please seek help from your campus health center or other campus mental health resources. Campus practitioners may also refer to mental health educational resources.
Stay tuned to ncaa.org to learn more about mental health topics throughout Mental Health Awareness Month.
