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.