The Hidden Struggles: Mental Health Challenges in Youth Athletes
Beyond the trophies, amazing goals, and superb highlight reels, many athletes face a challenge not seen directly on the field: Mental Health.
While many would believe that athletics, especially at a high school and youth level, wouldn’t cause worries in the mental health of teenagers, it’s on the most hidden concerns that plagues the joy that is supposed to be felt with sports.
Youth athletes report feelings of
- depression
- anxiety
- anger
- embarrassment
- humiliation
They also report feeling less confident, not feeling like themselves, losing friends, and losing connection to their school or community. Many athletes also experience a loss of athletic identity.
This can stem from bad performances, getting deselected from a team, getting an injury, having a bad relationship with the team, and/or rough physical abuse (overuse and being pushed to their limits). Besides other outside factors, athletics can worsen the mental health of an athlete.
As an athlete myself, I can tell you that mental health is a very big issue in athletics. The stress I get when I feel the need to perform for my team, the depression I get when I fail to run a good time, the anxiety I have when I step on the bus heading to a meet, and the anger I have when I get injured are all unhealthy habits that I have developed over my career. The truth is any athlete can develop these types of habits, it doesn’t matter what level you play at. I know
teammates that are nowhere as competitive as me cry after a bad performance. Kids tell me all the time that their mood is dependent on their athletic performance.
Fortunately, it has become widespread knowledge in the sports community that mental health is important and most coaches and athletes understand that mental health is to be taken seriously. The real issue is not that mental health is not widespread, but that it isn’t being prevented. Many athletes at the highschool level will not go pro, only a small margin will get the chance to compete in college, so why do so many athletes depend their mood on something that won’t likely matter? The answer is that they lack skills that are beyond important for athletes to comprehend, and we need change for that.
A critical shift in how we approach sports culture is long overdue. For athletes one of the most effective strategies is enhancing mental health literacy. This means giving athletes the tools and knowledge to understand, identify, and respond to mental health challenges, both in themselves and in others.
What Is Mental Health Literacy?
Mental health literacy goes beyond simply being aware that mental health issues exist. It includes:
- Understanding common mental health symptoms (like depression, anxiety, PTSD)
- Knowing how and when to seek help
- Reducing stigma around talking about mental health
- Building emotional regulation skills to manage stress and setbacks
Incorporating mental health education into youth sports programs can normalize these conversations and create a healthier, more resilient generation of athletes.
1. Mental Health Literacy Programs
Structured, age-appropriate programs that are built into athletic training environments can help athletes understand how injuries, stress, pressure, and identity loss can affect their minds—not just their bodies. These programs often include:
- Workshops led by sports psychologists or counselors
- Peer discussions to reduce stigma
- Education for coaches and parents to recognize early warning signs
When athletes are educated about mental health, they’re more likely to speak up early and get the support they need.
2. Developing Non-Athletic Identities
For many young athletes, sport becomes who they are, not just what they do. When that identity is lost—through injury, burnout, or retirement—it can feel like their world is falling apart.
Encouraging athletes to explore other interests, develop skills outside their sport, and maintain friendships beyond their teams is essential. This provides a sense of balance, helping them weather the storms that come with the ups and downs of athletic life.
3. Learning to Deal with Setbacks
Programs that teach growth mindset principles, coping strategies, and emotional resilience can change the narrative around failure. Instead of feeling ashamed or defeated, athletes can learn to see challenges as opportunities for growth.
4. Emotional Regulation Skills
Sports often reward toughness and pushing through pain. But mental toughness doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings—it means knowing how to manage them.
Teaching athletes how to:
- Recognize emotional triggers
- Use breathing and grounding techniques
- Communicate their needs effectively
If we want youth athletes to thrive—not just win—we have to build systems that support their whole selves, not just their physical performance. Mental health literacy is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
“Student-athletes have to find the right balance and perspective, or they’re going to be looking at some negative things coming from above. When it becomes a burden, you have to find a way to make it become something you look forward to, that’s a reward again and a sanctuary.”
~ Sebastian
