Mental health a priority for athletes   |29 January 2022

Athletes don't talk about it and don't want others to know. Sometimes mental health is viewed as a stigma and prevents athletes from seeking help. This is because athletes are viewed as brave persons who overcome the odds to reach success.

We have heard interviews of high level athletes who have surmounted the odds to reach the peak of their sports physically through hard training, hours each week pushing their bodies to the maximum, regimented diet, long hours of travel, working through injury, limited time for social activities and self-sacrifice.

Unfortunately some athletes pay minimal attention to their mental health, especially when they are motivated by extrinsic rewards.

Most of the time athletes’ struggles are unseen bubbling under the surface. Athletes are viewed as superman, but the unseen of mental struggles are real, emotionally overwhelming and mentally disturbed.

Some athletes hide to see their mental state.

Mental health is more important than winning medals and having their names in the local newspaper.

In many sports athletes might have mental issues, anxiety, depression are not considered with the seriousness as they should be. It's a problem.

For example, when you lose a match you deserved to win, it’s normal that it's hard to sleep afterwards with the adrenaline. It's very important to talk to a psychologist or mental coach about your emotion.

Life for athletes at times is very hard to cope with.

Athletes need an outlet or an outside resource to help them deal with pressure, manage expectations, share their feelings and communicate their needs.

Counselling is an option, especially for athletes battling the demands in sports.

Your mental coach can help you learn practical mental skills. Empower yourself to control your life in your sports and outside as well.

Learning emotional management can help an athlete to let go of past events.

Dealing with fear of failure can help you remain focused in the present moment and improve your quality of life in sports and life.

Life skills training too can be very useful for athletes.

Managing time, building healthy relationships, dealing with worry, overcoming perfectionism, disappointment, will help you navigate your world, maximise potential and minimise stress.

Teaching your athletes life skills is one important element coaches should include in their training programmes.

Sports are not only the physical aspects. The five dimensions of the athletes are very important ‒ physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

Maurice Denys

Certified Mental Coach

Dip. Sports Psychology

Dip. Life Coaching