What exactly is mental health and how does it affect athletes?

The mental health of athletes in the past has flown under the radar, but now we are starting to understand more how sports can affect us and how we can help. Mental wellbeing, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “a state in which an individual can realize their own potential, engage in positive relationships, be resilient in the light of typical life stresses, earn a living, and contribute to their community” (Marsters). Mental health is a measure of our ability to recognize our potential and how we can handle the stresses of everyday life. When it comes to mental health, sports can have a very positive effect. Sports allows people to get outside, exercise, and meet friends, which can all be extremely beneficial for our overall health. On the contrary, sports can also do the opposite and create problems such as anxiety, depression, and being burnt out. For this we will refer to a study done amongst Pacific male athletes. In this study, male athletes and non-athletes from the pacific were asked questions and had their daily lives observed. During this study, it was found that each demographic of Pacific male athletes “experience[d] higher rates of mental illness and are less likely to access mental health services or to engage in help-seeking behaviors when compared with other New Zealanders” (Marsters). One of the athletes in the study tells us that sometimes he “feels on top of the world, but sometimes I get a bit too overboard” (Marsters). Sometimes sports can be great for our mental health, but at any given moment or game, that can all fall apart and be completely shattered. Athletes need the constant support and encouragement from family, friends, and coaches to help when a bad moment occurs.