Student-athletes face the same stress as every teen, plus training, travel, injuries, and pressure to win. Many hide it. They fear that asking for help will cost them playing time or let the team down.
This guide explains why student-athletes struggle, the warning signs to watch for, and what parents and coaches can do. It also tells you when to bring in a therapist.
How many student-athletes struggle with mental health?
Sport helps many teens. It builds fitness, friendships, and confidence. It does not shield them from anxiety or depression, and studies find athletes are as likely as other students to have depression.
The numbers show the scale:
- About 32% of U.S. adolescents have had an anxiety disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
- In the NCAA’s 2020 well-being survey, 1 in 12 college athletes said depression made it hard to function most days. About 1 in 3 women athletes and 1 in 10 men reported overwhelming anxiety.
- In the NCAA’s 2023 survey, 54% of men and 33% of women athletes said they felt comfortable talking to their coach about mental health.
The last figure matters most for parents. Most athletes do not tell their coach, and many do not tell anyone.
Why student-athletes struggle
A packed schedule
Practice, games, travel, homework, and a social life leave little room to rest. Sleep is usually the first thing to go. Tired teens feel more anxious, more irritable, and less able to cope.
Year-round, single-sport training
Many parents and grandparents played several sports and took seasons off. Today many teens train one sport all year, often with college-level methods. Less rest raises the risk of overuse injuries and burnout.
Pressure to perform
Scholarships, rankings, and the family’s time and money all add weight. Even when no one pressures them on purpose, teen athletes know what the sport has cost. Many keep playing long after they stop enjoying it. Quitting can feel like letting everyone down.
Identity tied to the sport
When a teen is “the goalie” or “the swimmer,” a bad game or an injury shakes more than their stats. It shakes their sense of self. Jami Aitken, our Director of Clinical Services, notes that teens with anxiety often lean on perfectionism and constant reassurance. Athletes with those traits can be hard on themselves after every miss.
Injuries and concussions
Time away from the team can bring isolation, fear of losing a spot, and low mood. A head injury can also change mood, sleep, and focus. Ask the doctor about both the physical recovery and the emotional one.
A culture of toughness
“Play through it” works for a sore muscle. It fails for anxiety or depression. Teens who hear that message learn to hide what they feel.
Warning signs in student-athletes
Some signs look like normal teen moods. A pattern that lasts two weeks or more deserves attention. Watch for these:
- Mood: irritability, mood swings, sadness, constant worry
- Behavior: pulling away from teammates, friends, or family, or losing interest in a sport they loved
- Body: changes in sleep or appetite, fatigue, unexplained aches or stomach trouble
- Performance: a drop in the sport or in class that has no clear cause, or trouble concentrating
- Thoughts: harsh self-talk, hopelessness, feeling worthless, or any mention of self-harm
Cyndi Marquez, one of our therapists, tells parents to watch for withdrawal, changes in sleep or eating, dropping grades, and quitting sports or clubs. She also reminds parents that they know their teen best. Stay curious, and trust what you notice.
Burnout or overtraining?
Burnout shows up as exhaustion, lingering injuries, anger, and a refusal to train. Overtraining can lower performance even as effort rises. Both call for rest and a check on mood. Both can also sit alongside depression or anxiety.
How parents and coaches can help
- Check in about the person. Ask “How are you doing?” away from the field, and keep it separate from talk about stats or the next game.
- Protect rest. Build in rest days, a steady bedtime, and an off-season.
- Do things together that have nothing to do with the sport. A meal, a walk, or a movie builds the trust that opens honest talks.
- Normalize mental health. Talk about anxiety and depression the way you talk about a sprained ankle. Doing so lowers the stigma.
- Keep the sport fun. Praise effort and growth. Treat a loss as a lesson.
- Make it safe to step back. A teen should know they can take a break or quit without losing your support.
- Bring in a professional early. Coaches and parents support. Therapists treat. Mental health conditions are real, diagnosable, and treatable.
For help with pre-game nerves in particular, see our guide for parents of athletes with sports anxiety.
When to get professional help
Reach out to a therapist when:
- Warning signs last two weeks or more
- Sleep, eating, grades, or performance change sharply
- Your teen avoids practice, school, or friends
- Your teen speaks about feeling hopeless or worthless
- An injury leaves them low or isolated for weeks
If your teen talks about hurting themselves or ending their life, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or call 911 right away.
Frequently asked questions
Do student-athletes have more mental health problems than other students?
Research finds athletes are about as likely as other students to have conditions like depression. Their pressures differ: injuries, travel, public scrutiny, and fear of losing a spot. They are also less likely to ask for help.
What do student-athletes struggle with most?
Time pressure, performance pressure, lack of sleep, and balancing school with sport lead the list. Injury, burnout, and identity tied to the sport follow close behind.
Should my teen quit the sport?
Not always. Many teens feel better after rest, a lighter schedule, or support from a therapist. Others decide they are ready to move on. Let your teen lead, and make sure they know you will back whichever choice they make.
How can a coach support an athlete who is struggling?
Listen without judgment, avoid treating pain as weakness, and share resources. Coaches do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. They can refer the athlete and family to a licensed professional.
Can therapy fit around practice and games?
Yes. A good therapist works with the schedule, and many sessions focus on skills athletes use in sport, such as managing nerves and recovering from setbacks.
Therapy for teen and young adult athletes
Dayrise Wellness works only with teens and young adults. We match each athlete with a licensed therapist and build a plan that fits their schedule and goals. Megan Bomicino, LCPC, specializes in sports and performance anxiety. We see families at our Lombard and Naperville offices, and we are in-network with BlueCross BlueShield PPO, United Healthcare PPO, and Aetna PPO.