Athletes can and do suffer from mental illness.

Gasp!

“I haven’t heard anything about it so there must not be any on my team, right?”

Wrong! According to the CDC, 1 in 20 Americans over the age of 12 suffer from mental illness and depression, on its own, effects 1 in 10 Americans.1,2  According to this data, the average hockey team probably has at least two players with depression.

“Depression and anxiety only effect females and I coach boys so it doesn’t matter.”

Wrong again! Even though physical activity is a proven stress reducer, anxiety, stress and depression can still occur in athletes of both genders.3 Although females are statistically more likely to suffer from mental illness, there are still plenty of males that have a mental illness. Nearly 30,000 Americans commit suicide every year and while females are more prone to having suicidal thoughts, males make up for 79% of all suicides.4

“My athletes are strong. This doesn’t pertain to them.”

Actually, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in Americans ages 15-24 years old.4 No matter how physically fit an athlete is, genetics and chemical imbalances can influence the development of depression. Sports create a high-pressure environment and setbacks, such as injury or loss, can challenge an athlete’s self esteem and contribute to the development of depression or other mental illness.2

“Being a counselor is not my job, I’m a coach.”

You are absolutely correct that being a counselor is not your job (unless it actually is your day job) but it is your job to put your athlete’s well being first and foremost. Mental well-being is just as, if not more, important than physical health.

Coaches, take a step back for a moment.

We’ve all been told things like, “the game is 90% mental” and “smart play wins games.” Typically when hearing a quote like that, coaches assume that it means the strong-willed, hard working, level-headed and dedicated players will be the best- and you’re right in thinking that it does mean that- but it also means that an athlete cannot perform at their best unless their mental health is at it’s best. Certainly, it is your job to help your athletes reach their top potential.

Athletes look up to their coaches and in some cases, the athletes are around their coaches and teachers more than they are around their own family. So while being a counselor is not your job, coaching your players to be the best that they can be is your job- and that involves mental health.

“Okay- so how do I help my athletes?”

The number one best way to help your athletes is to show them that you care. This doesn’t mean that you have to sit down and have hour-long conversations with each of them every day. Start with some small tasks like these ones:

• Ask your players how their day was at school and listen when they respond
• Jump around from seat-to-seat and chat with your players on long bus rides
• Talk to your players about things that are important to them ie. Honors choir or band
• Make an effort to say one good thing to each player every day at practice- just a tap on the shin pads and saying ‘good job’ goes a long way
• Develop of relationship of respect with your team; respect for each other, the coaching staff, the parents, the locker room, other teams, life and every thing they come in contact with
• Do the little things- if you think something may be wrong, ask
• Offer outside resources in times of turmoil
• Learn to listen

…and my favorite piece of advice is to seek to understand. Each player has a different background, at home life and personality- aim to understand your players.

You can also implement meditation and yoga into your off ice training. Both of these practices are proven to help with depression and anxiety.

“I have a good relationship with my athletes but man, sometimes they’re really at each other’s throats in the locker room and that certainly doesn’t help with creating a healthy state of mind. "

Be the leader with this. You must model positive and respectful relationships. Make sure your athletes know that you have zero-tolerance for negativity on your team and invite them to help you keep a positive locker room. Try doing a few team bonding activities that create an environment where they have to work together. Pair unlikely partners together and praise them when they succeed.  

“What are the warning signs?”

Depression is the most common mental illness. In 2015, 16.1 million Americans ages 18+ said that they had experienced at least one major depressive episode in the last year.3

The signs of depression are:3

• Persistent, sad, anxious or ‘empty’ moods
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions
• Insomnia
• Low appetite and weight loss
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms with no explanation ie. Headaches, digestive issues, etc.

“What can I do if I am concerned about one of my athletes?”

If one of your athletes presents you with information that they are struggling with depression or considering suicide, let them know that you care and that you are there to help them. Contact your athletic director and see what options and resources are available to your athletes through school. Chances are that you are not trained to counsel but your school has a counselor that is more than willing to help. Be sure to follow up with your athlete to ensure that they are getting the help that they need.

If your athlete lets you know that they are having suicidal thoughts, contact someone that cares about them immediately (parent, guardian, school counselor). You can never be too careful.

Athletes, don’t be afraid to speak up! Coaches, don’t be afraid to help!

Remember- mental illness is real and it is likely affecting your team. It doesn’t need to be a “taboo” anymore. 

I’m calling on coaches to be aware, to care and to create change. Coaches are leading the next generation and the change starts now.

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1 Depression. (2013, October 04). Retrieved December 14, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/data_stats/depression.htm

2 Bruen, J. (2017, August 14). Depression in Athletes. Retrieved December 14, 2017, from https://www.livestrong.com/article/84436-depression-athletes/

3 Symptoms. (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2017, from https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression/symptoms

4 11 Facts About Suicide. (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2017, from https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-suicide

*Disclaimer: this article is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure