There isn’t much of a downside for kids joining organized sports at a young age. It’s a great way for them to get exercise in a fun guise, and also a chance for them to meet and socialize with others their age. And while many recreational leagues are geared toward fun and inclusion, the thrill of victory can sweep up the best of us, which goes a long way to explaining why generally, over 50 percent of kids in the United States participate in team sports.
But as they get older, the atmosphere in the sports world begins to change. The focus in many programs shifts to ‘win at all costs,’ with athlete welfare just a secondary priority. Some young athletes are unable to cope with increased strain and pressure, leading to an increased risk of depression and other mental health disorders. With that in mind, it’s important to be able to recognize when a young athlete is struggling.
While there’s more attention than ever on mental health, the sports world still lags behind when it comes to treating its participants. A 2016 study by Drexel and Kean universities revealed that almost 24 percent of college athletes reported depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, a study by the Pew Research Center in 2018 found that 70 percent of teens reported anxiety and depression as a major problem among their peers. Stick those already prevalent issues in the high-intensity world of sports, and it’s easy to see why so many young athletes suffer.
For David Ball, a former NFL defensive end and current mental health counselor, there are three major factors for why so many players are susceptible. “One, I think coaches are great in terms of challenging and motivating their charges, in terms of ‘let’s grit our teeth and run through this wall,’” he says. “That way of hyper-drive thinking is helpful if you have a tangible goal to shoot for.” The problem, Ball says, is that athletes begin to internalize that mindset. Many apply that outlook to all facets of their life, but emotions like anger and anxiety aren’t things that young people should grit their teeth and try to push through.
Ball’s second point encompasses all the emotions that come from sports, which can include anger, happiness, and sadness. Athletes are allowed to show anger, which may manifest in dominance on the field, or the happiness that accompanies lifting a trophy or high-fiving teammates after a big play. “But we’re taught that sadness is a weakness and that you shouldn’t show fear,” he says. “Just like in real life, that’s not very helpful. If you suppress parts of who you are, that tends to show up later in bigger and unhealthier ways.”
The third key factor is isolation. In team sports, athletes are locked in with their teammates through all the hard practices, games, and struggles. But if an injury comes into play, it quickly separates one from the rest of the group. Rehab is done alone, creating a disconnect between teammates. “People need to feel safe and connected within that team environment,” says Ball, “and as soon as you’re injured, you’re outside the team. People have a hard time dealing with isolation; like other challenges that people face, it’s amplified when it comes to sports.”
When athletes begin to suffer from depression, it can materialize in any number of ways, according to Ball. Some might exhibit feelings of hopelessness or emptiness, while others might seem unplugged from what they’re doing or try to pull away from their peers. The easiest thing to spot, however, is erratic behavioral changes.
For teammates and administrations who want to combat depression more effectively, there are plenty of ways to improve. Even if a young athlete is trying to pull away, it’s important to make sure they don’t become fully disconnected. “There are signs, but you can’t really tell unless you ask somebody and they tell you how they’re feeling, which can be difficult,” says Ball. “Sports are slowly moving toward being more progressive and proactive in terms of mental health, but it’s not where it needs to be to help everyone.”
Coaches and administrators can help by learning the warning signs for mental health issues. That way, if they recognize a problem with one of their players, they can immediately step in to assist. It also helps if schools are able to bring in qualified individuals who are available for the athletes to speak with, but Ball recognizes many campuses won’t be able to do so. “Really, it goes a long way if coaches know how to spot and help with mental health struggles, just be available for their athletes in a slightly different capacity.”
While the rigors of sports can take their toll, it’s important to keep in mind the many benefits that go along with organized athletics. “There are two sides of the coin,” says Ball. “If things are going well, sports can be a tremendous buffer to mental health struggles. You feel connected to a group of people, which makes life so much better, so much fuller. It makes your internal resilience so much stronger. Sports do so much to give people a common goal; everyone has a purpose, you wake up and have structure and strategy, and it’s like you’re mastering something. The dichotomy exists because people do struggle with depression and anxiety, and athletes deal with tremendous pressure. But you see more professional athletes, like [NBA star] Kevin Love being frank about it. So I think we’re headed in the right direction.”