Submitted by an anonymous Howard County community member.
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”– Red Sanders
Organized sports are a rite of passage for kids everywhere in the U.S. Starting as early as preschool, children join teams or participate in individual sports (swimming, golf or gymnastics, to name a few), benefitting not only physically, but also socially and mentally, and learn valuable life skills, such as leadership, time management, self-discipline.
No doubt, participation in organized sports provides children with many valuable health and life skills- but what about the teen athlete that hyper-focuses on their sport and suffers negative effects from the same sport that should be a positive experience for them? Teen athletes who focus on winning more than their love of the sport can suffer from extreme stress, anxiety and depression as they determine their self-worth by how much playing time they receive, their self-esteem by their ranking, and their value on their athletic success.
In addition to the mental toll on teens who become consumed by their sport, athletes are at risk for physical injuries, ranging from muscle strains, sprains and broken bones, to concussions and other serious physical trauma. Being sidelined from an injury, coupled with long-lasting pain, can be a major blow to an athlete’s perception of themselves, leading to unhealthy coping behaviors or self-medicating with drugs for pain management.
As adults- parents, coaches, spectators, etc.- we need to change the narrative of success by supporting our athletes on-and off- the field. The following are just a few strategies to begin the conversation with your teen’s athletic community, because it takes a village…or more appropriately… a team!
- Investigate options for weaving mental health into athletic programs
- Encourage conversations about mental health in athletics
- Provide resources for mental health options
- Educate other coaches and parents on the signs of poor mental health and burnout in athletes
- Model a balanced approach to training that includes the needed rest and recovery time
- Cite examples of athletes- i.e., Michael Phelps, Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka- who have publicly disclosed that they needed a “time-out” to focus on their mental health before they could continue competing
- Recognize when kids are hurting physically and direct them to the appropriate medical care (athletic trainers, health care providers) to avoid further injuries and added anxiety or unhealthy coping behaviors (http://www.hcdrugfree.org/dont-get-benched/)
- Be a leader. Remember, kids are watching you. Be a healthy role model
And, for the athlete, here are some ways to start looking out for #1:
- Set realistic goals for yourself (and your team)
- Seek out supportive partners to build a support network- (examples: parents, coaches, teachers, trusted adults)
- Practice self-care- (examples: sleep, proper nutrition, techniques for stress management, relaxation)
- Seek professional help when needed- don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to someone. Mental health resources are there for you!
- Try to remember to find a sports-life balance- it might not seem like it now, but there is more to life than being the best in sports. There is so much living to do (off the field)!
“The rewards are going to come, but my happiness is just loving the sport and having fun performing”– Jackie Joyner Kersee
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