Student Athletes
PLEASE NOTE: The information in this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical or mental health care advice.
Depression
The impact of injury
- The injured athlete potentially faces many changes: not feeling a part of the team; losing credibility; falling behind teammates in skills and experience; or the prospect that their season or career may be over.
- These changes may create the challenge of grief that a student athlete is not always prepared to handle.
- Typically, the student athlete's reaction is all about recovery from the physical problem, and rarely addresses the common emotional pain and anxiety that accompanies the injury. When the emotional and mental toll is ignored, full recovery is impeded.
Ending the season or career
- When fewer than 1% of college athletes become professionals in their sports, all student athletes who have dreamed and worked for so long to succeed the adjustment to ending can still come as a shock. What's next? Who am I now?
- For most, their role may simply change, and the sport they love can still have a significant place in their life. Some may coach, and others find ways to integrate sports into their professional or personal lives.
More information on depression
Effects on Performance
- Decrease in motivation, concentration, and/or energy
- Loss of interest in competition and/or teammates
- Burn out, dissatisfaction and/or irritability or anger
- Increased risk of injury
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