mental health

You Are Not Alone

it's okay not to be okay

scroll for more ▼

Mental illness is one of the great silent epidemics in our country. During their peak competitive playing days, “mental toughness” is a phrase that athletes hear tossed around by their coaches and trainers. But athletes also suffer from mental health issues that are unique compared to their fellow students and community members due to the stressors and expectations placed on athletes that are not placed on their fellow students and community members. ESPN reported in 2014 that at many schools, mental health resources are downright sparse when compared to those dedicated to the physical health of the athletes. Many athletic programs have medical staffs of more than a dozen people, yet fewer than 25 Division I athletic departments have a full-time licensed mental health practitioner on staff.” These same stressors can create unique psychological issues for athletes upon their retirement from sports. Presumptively, much of the impact of those stressors is wrapped up in how early athletes retire compare to the general population, as well as how much further they fall due to years of adulation and support they received when they were at peak performance. The most serious psychological issues that can arise and which have unique impacts on retired athletes include: depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and body dysmorphia, substance abuse and — depending upon the sport — degenerative disorders resulting from physical injury.However, too often, those athletes do not know whether their new normal will be sufficient to meet their psychological needs after retirement. Too often, the elite athlete finishes his or her competitive career and does not know what he or she does not know — first, that they need to evolve and, second, how to go about doing so. The Mental Health Pillar for the Always An Athlete curriculum emphasizes the need to begin thinking about the psychological issues that may arise from the sudden change in their lifestyle and learning about red flags for those conditions before the athlete needs to i.e. before leaving competitive sports. The curriculum should provide them with fundamentals to prevent psychological damage as much as possible, and to recognize and find help if they do arise.

The Mental Health Curriculum will help combat  the following: depression, lack of direction, loss of community, no health support, no mental guidance
RESOURCES

athletes...
shifting gears

Chamique Holdsclaw

Mental Health Advocate
3 NCAA Championships, University of Tennessee
4x All American Drafted #1 in the WNBA
6x WNBA All Star
2x Naismith Award Winner

scroll for more ▼

Weekly Therapy, Staying on Medications, Mediating and Physical Exercise Like a competitive team has structure, the above is my personal protocol. In order to be a better daughter, partner and friend I need to follow my protocol. I want to use my platform as an athlete and my voice to make a difference. I want to help others, I don’t want to see others go through the suffering that I had gone through— suffering in silence. So many people struggle with this illness. Many people have a support system but choose not to use it because we can get stuck in our own heads not wanting to be a burden.

If you are feeling sad or lonely, know that there is help. Reach out to experts to talk. It may not be easy, it was not for me, but it is important to take care of yourself. I have spoken to dozens of groups about dealing with mental illness, hoping sharing my story will help others. My mission is to change the conversation. It’s ok to say, I need support. If I could impart any advice is that your illness or disorder does not have to define you. You can still live a healthy lifestyle. I appreciate that this book digs into the real Mental Health struggles that athletes deal with as they transition out of sport. Speaking about something that people do not normally talk about— brings the conversation of mental health to the front. Mental Health is just as important as physical well being —and they are deeply connected.

As athletes we need to keep moving our bodies when we no longer have the game and structure of a community. Movement of our bodies helps our mental health. I look forward to the resources and stories that Always An Athlete is gathering to help other athletes, at every level, in their personal lifelong athletic journey toward a healthy future.

“Above all, cycling is fun. It can be a great way to get outside, spend time with friends or even one’s regular teammates on another sports team”
Bill Walton, UCLA and NBA Basketball Legend

“Everybody always does a golf outing, but you can only get so many people involved in that because not everybody plays. And I wanted everybody to be able to participate. And what does everybody know how to do? Ride a bicycle! It’s fun and it’s good exercise. A lot of times when people are riding a bike, they don’t even realize that they’re exercising. So doing that was a no-brainer to me.”

Bo Jackson,
NFL Pro Bowler, MLB Allstar

athlete story

Celebrated in the Light, Forgotten in the Dark

You know how you hear about so many athletes being broken and burnt out as a result of their careers? Maybe you’ve experienced it firsthand. It may be emotional, psychological, financial or physical. For me it was three out of the four.

I drove myself to burnout trying to earn my self-worth and confidence. Years of pounding the yardage, under-recovering, over-stressing, and trying to silence anxiety that left me on the floor in the corner unable to breathe resulted in adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalances, gut issues, and depression. My body and mind clearly needed attention and healing.

In reflection, I realized I was not alone. As athletes and performers, we adopt the “suck it up” mentality. The best of us find a way to ignore the pain and push our bodies to the limits - and that’s good to an extent. Yet, like any strength, the “be tough” mentality can also be our downfall. I lived in the prison of destructive narratives, anxiety, and fear for too long. I was unraveling.

MORE COMING SOON
KATE ZIEGLER, USA SWIMMING2x Olympian, 4x World Champion, World Record Setter, Mentor, Speaker, Mental Health Advocate

"While I continue learning, this I know - I am not the only high performer who has ever felt stuck, depressed, burnt out or broken"

KATE ZIEGLER, USA SWIMMING

athlete story

Celebrated in the Light, Forgotten in the Dark

You know how you hear about so many athletes being broken and burnt out as a result of their careers? Maybe you’ve experienced it firsthand. It may be emotional, psychological, financial or physical. For me it was three out of the four.

I drove myself to burnout trying to earn my self-worth and confidence. Years of pounding the yardage, under-recovering, over-stressing, and trying to silence anxiety that left me on the floor in the corner unable to breathe resulted in adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalances, gut issues, and depression. My body and mind clearly needed attention and healing.

In reflection, I realized I was not alone. As athletes and performers, we adopt the “suck it up” mentality. The best of us find a way to ignore the pain and push our bodies to the limits - and that’s good to an extent. Yet, like any strength, the “be tough” mentality can also be our downfall. I lived in the prison of destructive narratives, anxiety, and fear for too long. I was unraveling.

MORE COMING SOON