As a follow-up to previous posts on both mental health issues in university, as well as depression and anxiety in sports such as major junior hockey leagues, the eye-opening article, "When College Athletes Face Depression", takes a look at mental health issues among athletes in college.
In this article, the author shares two stories of college athletes from the US and their experiences in dealing with severe mental illnesses that either stemmed from or were exacerbated by their sport. They discuss some of the contributing factors to mental illness in college athletics and barriers to identification and care including, coaching staff not being educated about emotional and mental health, the significant impact of injuries, high pressures and immense stakes to perform well, and the lack of mental health professionals on staff in university athletic departments. The article also shares opinions from experts who argue for change and suggest ways to approach and better this issue, such as enhanced screening in pre-season, and increased education and awareness of all who are involved in training, guiding, and supporting these athletes.
In this article, the author shares two stories of college athletes from the US and their experiences in dealing with severe mental illnesses that either stemmed from or were exacerbated by their sport. They discuss some of the contributing factors to mental illness in college athletics and barriers to identification and care including, coaching staff not being educated about emotional and mental health, the significant impact of injuries, high pressures and immense stakes to perform well, and the lack of mental health professionals on staff in university athletic departments. The article also shares opinions from experts who argue for change and suggest ways to approach and better this issue, such as enhanced screening in pre-season, and increased education and awareness of all who are involved in training, guiding, and supporting these athletes.
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