Imagine 8 hours of school, 1 hour of additional homework, while balancing the responsibility of showing up to countless hours of practice and games on time. This is the life of a student-athlete. On a daily basis, the student-athlete takes ibuprofen, tapes their ankle, wraps their knee, and does their best to improve and fix their injuries, without realizing that their brain is in need too.
With all the pressure a student-athlete has and will have, it is crucial to understand the importance of mental health and what it means to you. Many student-athletes put their desire to succeed above their well-being. In the long game, a bad mentality can do immense amounts of damage to a student-athlete’s performance, both in action and out of action. Sadly this is the reality of many of our star athletes. They sacrifice relationships, time, and their bodies just to perform well in school and sports. However, without attention, this can lead to extensive “yips” and struggles in all areas.
During a sports injury there is a consistent risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms appearing. One thought that can continue to weigh on an injured athlete is: will my team still accept me if I’m not 100%?
Lina Schaffer, a member of the Morgan’s Message club, expressed that “There is a lot of stigma surrounding mental health when it comes to student-athlete’s”. As a dedicated athlete herself, Schaffer explained that during some of her most stressful times, she turned to ambassadors from the Morgan’s Message club for support, “I joined the Morgan’s Message club because a lot of the ambassadors helped me through the stress and anxiety of sports”.
The Morgan’s Message club plays a big part in mental health and, just like it did for Lina, helps many of Kettle Run’s athletes stay in the best shape possible.
With the help of psychologists and programs just like Morgan’s Message, many teens and professional athletes learn ways to cope with their stress and anxiety, while continuing their sport with a clear mind and positive mentality.
