In Westport and surrounding towns, participation in athletic programs at the high schools is way above the national average. Varsity athletes in the public and private schools are in constant pursuit of excellence, whether it’s earning a spot on the starting lineup, getting recruited to college as a scholar athlete, or obtaining local and state recognition. Yet underneath the championship mentality lies a more complicated picture of the mental toll, often carried silently by the athletes.
As a high school tennis and squash coach and a doctor, I have noticed the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions among athletes, which has steadily increased since I first started coaching. The academic rigor of the award-winning local high schools often adds to the stress, as student-athletes struggle to strike a balance between their classes, sports teams, and socializing with their friends.
“My brother is a recruited athlete,” Maddie*, a rising senior at Staples High School, told me. “So there’s a lot of pressure on me too.” When asked where the pressure was coming from, Maddie replied: “Mostly myself, but my parents too.” Maddie is on a varsity team at Staples, she’s a straight-A student (except for one class), and she often stays up past 1 am to do her homework, even when she has a game the next day. “I’m always exhausted and stressed. That’s my baseline.”
A recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, “Prevalence of Stress Amongst High School Athletes,” cites a staggering 91 percent of high school student-athletes report experiencing some level of stress associated with balancing sports and academics. Fifty-eight percent report experiencing moderate-to-severe stress. Other studies highlight the prevalence of anxiety, depression, burnout, and other stress-related conditions among high school athletes. Only 10 percent of student-athletes seek professional mental health care. It isn’t surprising that Maddie is stressed and exhausted, and her feelings are shared by many student-athletes who have tied much of their self-worth to their athletic performance. When time on the field or court changes, or they get injured or struggle, it not only hurts their confidence, it triggers feelings of unworthiness. But perhaps no factor has changed the amount of pressure more than social media. The digitalization of sporting events keeps the athletes on a public stage 24/7, replaying highlights and/or failures. Social media magnifies comparison, creates an omnipresent news cycle, and often serves as a space where losses become compounded by digital commentary.
Early sports specialization, where students focus solely on one sport all year round, adds to the pressure. In previous generations, high school athletes were encouraged to play multiple sports. Now more than ever, it is common to specialize in one sport by the age of 12, train all year, and exclude other sports. Studies show that this trend contributes dramatically to stress and burnout in young athletes.
In Westport and surrounding towns, the drive to support a child’s success is tangible. But the mental health of student athletes is definitely an issue that needs to be placed on the parental radar screen. There are actionable steps parents can take to protect their child’s sense of well-being that start with normalizing conversations about mental health at home and encouraging your child to speak up when they are struggling. Parents who have open and honest conversations with their children often raise children who will advocate for themselves in times of need. Help your child understand that your love and admiration is unconditional, and not indelibly tied to whether they win or lose. In addition, the aftermath of competition is a time to decompress, not a time for critiques and advice.
We are lucky to live in a town that recognizes some of the challenges. Both Staples High School and Greens Farms Academy (GFA) have put measures in place to address and manage student- athlete stress and anxiety.
“We take a collaborative and proactive approach to support student-athlete mental health,” says VJ Sarullo, the athletic director at Staples High School. “Our athletic department and its staff work closely with school counselors, teachers, and administrators to ensure that student-athletes know support is available and accessible.” Parents, also, should remind their children that this kind of support is available.
“At GFA, we are deeply committed to the holistic wellness of our student-athletes. This upcoming school year, we are introducing a new athletic offering which will focus on movement and mindset, teaching students vital skills like breathwork, visualization, and physical recovery,” says Jennifer Harris, the associate director of athletics at GFA. “We are actively looking for creative ways to build in ‘off’ days, giving our students much-needed ‘found time’ to rest, recharge, and pursue other passions.”
Being part of a sports team is a wonderful opportunity for growth, resilience, and community. Recognizing the pressure and mental challenges that our students face and managing them as parents, coaches, and administrators, we can ensure that our kids are building the skills they need to become better competitors and healthier young people.
*Name has been changed
Sources
Jayanthi, N. A., Post, E. G., Laury, T. C. et al (2019). Health Consequences of Youth Sport Specialization. Journal of Athletic Training.
Dr. Jennifer Wider is a women’s health expert, author of four books, and radio host. She has appeared on The Today Show, CBS News, CNN and ABC News Nightline. She is a graduate of Princeton University and received her medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Dr. Wider was a collegiate athlete, and in her spare time, she coaches high school tennis and squash teams in Connecticut.