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College Athletes Face Mental Health Crisis
24 Sep
Summary
- Almost 40% of NCAA athletes have experienced suicidal thoughts.
- Most athletes want mandatory mental health services and training.
- Teammates and parents are primary support, not college programs.
A concerning survey of NCAA student-athletes indicates that nearly 40% have experienced suicidal thoughts. Researchers highlight that this widespread struggle necessitates improved mental health resources within collegiate sports programs. The study, published recently in Behavioral Sciences, surveyed athletes across all NCAA divisions.
Student-athletes are vocal about their needs, with 86% believing the NCAA should mandate mental health services and suicide prevention training. These findings come amid increased attention to athlete mental health, spurred by high-profile cases and unique pressures like performance expectations and threats from gamblers.
Currently, athletes often turn to peers and family for support, with only a fraction receiving formal suicide prevention training in college. Experts emphasize the need to integrate mental well-being support into the fabric of athletic departments to destigmatize mental health issues and better serve this high-risk population.
