What affects athletes’ mental health?
[Part 2] What affects athletes’ mental health?
As Michael Phelps put it, athletes are human beings – they’re not immune to the
stresses of life. They have relationships, experience loss and trauma, and face hardship
and challenges just like the rest of humanity.
Their life experiences and personalities can make athletes as vulnerable to
experiencing mental health issues as the general population. However, they also face
challenges unique to being a professional or elite athlete, and the very nature of
competition can provoke or increase psychological issues.
Everyone’s experience of competing is different, but some common stressors include
performance and competition pressure, injury, lack of social support, burnout, and
transitioning out of sport (due to deselection or retirement, for example).
Below we have created a questionnaire that will help you to understand how your sport
is affecting you and identify whether you’re facing any mental health issues. Remember
that to get an authentic result, you must be as honest as possible with yourself.
Instructions:
For each statement, rate your response on a scale from 1 to 10. A score of 1 means you rarely or never experience the issue, and a score of 10 means you experience the issue very frequently or severely. After completing the quiz, review the guidance based on your total score.
1. Performance-related pressure
How often do you feel overwhelmed by the pressure to perform well in your sport?
2. Outcome-related pressure
How often do you feel overwhelmingly worried (or very anxious) about the results or stakes of your competition (e.g., winning or losing, qualifying for rounds)?
3. Social and external expectations
How often do you feel burdened by the expectations of others, such as coaches, fans, or sponsors?
4. Internal expectations
Do you have very high personal expectations (e.g., “I must always win” or “My performance must always be perfect”)? Does failing to meet them affect your mood negatively?
5. Comparison pressure
How often do you compare yourself to other athletes and feel inadequate if you fall short?
6. Identity and self-worth
Is being an athlete your whole identity? Do you feel bad or worthless if you are not performing well as an athlete?
7. Injury concerns
If you have experienced an injury, how well did you cope with it? Did it lead to severe stress, anxiety, and unhealthy coping mechanisms (e.g., substance/alcohol misuse, isolation, binge eating, gambling, emotional avoidance)? (N.B. If you haven’t had an injury, please select “not at all”)
8. Transitioning out of sport
If you are currently transitioning out of sport, is this causing significant distress, anger, or anxiety? (N.B. If you aren’t transitioning out of sport, please select “not at all”)
9. Social support
How supported do you feel emotionally, informationally, and practically by coaches, teammates, family, and friends?
10. Motivation
In the last two weeks, have you experienced higher levels of exhaustion, diminished motivation, or loss of interest in your sport?
Interpreting Your Score
Total Score: Add up your scores from each question to get your total.
10-30: You seem to be managing the pressures and challenges of being an athlete well. Keep this up by maintaining a healthy balance between your sport and personal life. Ensure you continue practicing self-care and stay connected with your support system.
31-50: You might be experiencing moderate stress and pressure, which is common among athletes. It’s important to be proactive in managing these feelings. Consider integrating stress management techniques such as relaxation exercises, time management strategies, and maintaining open communication with your support network.
51-70: You are facing significant mental health challenges that may be affecting your well-being and performance. Make sure to reach out to your support system and implement coping mechanisms and stress management techniques. It might be time to seek help from a mental health professional who can provide support and strategies to manage these concerns.
71-100: It’s likely you are experiencing severe concerns that require attention. Your mental well-being should be your top priority. It’s important you reach out to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or therapist, as soon as possible. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help, and taking care of your mental health is crucial.
While this quiz is a starting point for assessing and understanding your mental state, it’s not a diagnostic tool and you should speak to a mental health professional if you are concerned.
In the next section, we’ll discuss strategies to address and improve your mental health.
PART 3: