Athletes are often held up as examples of physical strength, resilience, and peak performance—but underneath the visible dedication and athletic prowess lies another critical dimension: mental health. For both amateur and professional athletes, mental health is not just a “nicetohave” but a cornerstone of wellbeing, performance, longevity in sport, and life beyond the game.

Why mental health matters in sport
First, being in good mental health is foundational for high-level performance. Research shows that when athletes are mentally well—connected, resilient, focused—they make better decisions, respond more effectively under pressure, and bounce back from setbacks more readily. Magellan Health Insights+2Mass General Brigham+2
Second, athletes face many unique risk factors. Studies indicate that athletes (particularly elite and student-athletes) experience rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and disordered eating that are comparable to, and in some subgroups higher than, the general population. PMC+2McLean Hospital+2
Third, mental health and physical health are deeply intertwined. For example, poor mental health among athletes is linked to higher risk of injury, longer recovery times, and reduced likelihood of returning to previous level of performance. PMC+2UPMC HealthBeat+2

Unique stressors athletes face
Here are several key factors that place athletes at elevated risk of mental health struggles:

Performance pressure and identity: Athletes live in a results-driven culture—wins & losses, selection & sidelining, public and media scrutiny. When performance dips, athletes may feel their identity is threatened. PMC+1
Injury and recovery: Being injured is more than a physical setback. It can trigger anxiety, depression, isolation, identity disruption, and longer recovery. Studies show injured athletes may have worse mental-health outcomes and a slower or less successful return to sport. PMC+1
Burnout and overtraining: High training loads, minimal recovery, constant travel and competition, coupled with academic or employment demands (for student or semi-pro athletes) can lead to burnout, mental fatigue, sleep disruption, and mood disturbances. McLean Hospital+1
Transition and retirement: The end of an athletic career (planned or unplanned) presents major life changes: loss of identity, structure, community, financial stress, uncertainty about the future. These transitions carry high risk for mental health issues. PMC
Stigma and help-seeking: In many sports cultures, mental health issues are seen as weakness. Athletes may avoid seeking help for fear of judgement, loss of selection, or appearing “un-tough.” Research indicates that although many athletes are willing to use mental-health services, stigma, peer norms, and resource availability still pose barriers. PMC+1

Athletes and Suicide
While athletes are often perceived as resilient and mentally strong, research shows they are not immune to the risk of suicide—and in some cases, the pressures of sport may heighten it. Collegiate and professional athletes face unique stressors such as performance anxiety, injury, burnout, overtraining, and identity loss, all of which can contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Studies have found that among NCAA athletes, suicide is the third leading cause of death, accounting for approximately 7% of all athlete fatalities (Rao et al., 2015, The American Journal of Sports Medicine). Risk factors include undiagnosed depression, concussion-related neurological changes, lack of social support, and stigma surrounding help-seeking within athletic culture (Kerr et al., 2020, Sports Health). Transition periods—such as retirement or deselection—can also amplify feelings of isolation and hopelessness, particularly when an athlete’s sense of self is tied solely to performance (Rice et al., 2016, Sports Medicine). These findings highlight the urgent need for proactive suicide-prevention efforts within sport systems, including regular mental-health screening, open dialogue about emotional wellbeing, and access to sport-informed counseling professionals. If an athlete is in crisis, immediate help is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the U.S.

Why it matters beyond sport
Supporting athlete mental health isn’t just about winning games. It’s about setting athletes up for lasting wellbeing. The habits developed now—help‐seeking, mental-skills training, balance between sport and self—can translate into healthier lives beyond their athletic careers. Moreover, when mental health is neglected, there are tangible consequences: performance declines, injuries increase, career longevity shortens, and personal life suffers. PMC+1

What athletes (and those who support them) can do

Normalize the language of mental health: Create team cultures where athletes feel safe saying “I’m struggling” without fear of penalty.
Incorporate mental-skills training alongside physical training: Think mindfulness, visualization, stress-management, recovery practices.
Prioritize recovery and holistic wellness: Sleep, nutrition, social connection, identity beyond sport.
Provide accessible mental-health resources: Counselors with sports understanding, screening for early signs of distress, regular check-in protocols. Evidence shows that athletes are more likely to use services when counselors have a sport background. PMC
Plan for transitions: Whether retiring or moving to a new level, build a life plan outside sport. Identity and purpose beyond athletic performance matter.

References

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Mental Health in Athletes: Why it Matters and How to Protect It. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mental-health-in-athletes

Magellan Health Insights. (2024, July 15). The Life Within the Game: The Importance of Athlete Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.magellanhealthinsights.com/2024/07/15/the-life-within-the-game-the-importance-of-athlete-mental-health

McLean Hospital. (2024). Athlete Mental Health: Challenges and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/athlete-mh

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). (2016). Reardon, C. L., & Factor, R. M. Sport psychiatry: A systematic review of diagnosis and medical treatment of mental illness in athletes. Sports Medicine, 46(9), 1333–1353. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4996886

NCBI. (2024). Lundqvist, C., & Raglin, J. S. Injury and Mental Health Among Athletes: A Review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, 1320. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10916780

NCBI. (2018). Gulliver, A., Griffiths, K. M., & Christensen, H. Barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking for young elite athletes: A qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry, 12(157). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6180550

UPMC HealthBeat. (2022, October 11). Mental Health for Athletes: Why It’s Important. Retrieved from https://share.upmc.com/2022/10/mental-health-for-athletes

Rao, A. L., Asif, I. M., Drezner, J. A., Toresdahl, B. G., & Harmon, K. G. (2015). Suicide in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes: A 9-year analysis of the NCAA

resolutions database. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 43(5), 1247-1254.

Kerr, Z. Y., Register-Mihalik, J. K., Kroshus, E., et al. (2020). The epidemiology of suicide in sport: Critical review and recommendations. Sports Health, 12(5), 418-426.

Rice, S. M., Purcell, R., De Silva, S., Mawren, D., McGorry, P. D., & Parker, A. G. (2016).

The mental health of elite athletes: A narrative systematic review. Sports Medicine, 46(9), 1333-1353.