What was once a silent struggle, mental health became a global conversation after COVID-19, capitalizing on awareness and advocacy. While many advocates focus on overall mental health, few truly understand athletes’ specific challenges.
Athletes are often battling with their inner doubts, which can impact their performance. When confidence begins to fade away, it can lead to a cycle of negative self-talk, influencing how they play and feel about themselves, causing them to underperform, hence affecting their confidence and overall well-being. This struggle is something Kennedy Brantley, a volleyball player at North Atlanta, knows all too well. While she’s still improving her self-confidence, surrounding herself with a supportive community has helped her tremendously. “I’ve gotten better teammates, and we’ve been able to uplift each other,” she said. “Having a good support system has helped.”
When striving to do your best, it is very easy to lose confidence. Constantly having your mind tear you down with unkind words is a struggle for many athletes no matter the sport. This lack of confidence isn’t just limited to team sports. Sophomore Ranveer Sethi, a cross-country runner, has battled with negative self-talk during races, where mental endurance is just as important as physical stamina. “Sometimes when you don’t feel good or you’re injured, it causes your body to collapse,” he said. “Thinking about how ‘this guy is ahead of me in a race’ makes you feel much worse than you are.”
With discussions of the state of athletes’ mental health on the rise, organizations like Morgan’s Message were founded to give support and awareness. In honor of Morgan Rodgers, a former lacrosse player at Duke University who tragically took her own life due to her mental health, Morgan’s Message has made it their mission to make sure no other athletes struggle with their mental battles. Clare Kehoe is a co-founder and director of the education program at Morgan’s Message, an organization that helps athletes realize they are much more than their sport. “I also would emphasize the importance of maintaining your identity beyond your sport. For many athletes, your sport is your entire life. At Morgan’s Message, we often use the phrase “Human > Athlete,”” she said. “This is a reminder that athletes must never forget that we are humans first, athletes second. Sport is something an athlete does, not who an athlete is.”
As the conversations surrounding mental health continue to grow, it is important to recognize the unique struggles that many athletes face. The high expectations and pressure that are brought upon athletes can take a heavy toll, causing many athletes to engage in negative self-talk. Nowadays, with increased awareness and organizations like Morgan’s Message leading the way, athletes are beginning to realize they are more than just their sport. By prioritizing mental health and embracing the mindset that being human comes first, athletes can find strength beyond the game.