By: Aly Covington
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark (UATV) – The term “mental health” carries a stigma around it that isn’t always the most positive. When it comes to college athletics, it can be heightened as well. There are many reasons that a student-athlete may encounter mental health challenges, but resources at the University of Arkansas are doing their best to help in any way they can.
“I would say that some of the typical environments surrounding our sport of gymnastics don’t tend to focus on mental health. It’s one of the things I’m passionate about changing here with our program,” said Head Coach of the Arkansas Gymnastics Team Jordyn Wieber.
Having the access of social media at our fingertips is one thing that can have more negative outcomes than positive. When athletes are competing, they can go on social media immediately after to see what people are saying about them. Wieber talked a little bit about the difference between social media while she was competing to now. Her last year of competition was when Instagram started so she didn’t have a platform like that to go to and see what people thought.
This is something that has become more of an issue in the past few years as social media platforms grow and the presence of athletes has turned into a “celebrity” type role. LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne has 2.3 million followers on Instagram and 6.3 million followers on Tik Tok. The student-athletes who become well-known on social media have gained traction across many platforms. While this has benefited them in ways of Name, Image and Likeness deals, it adds a greater pressure to competing. They become more open to criticism about their performances on and off the competition floor.
This ties into another common cause of mental challenges in the college athletic scene, which is winning and losing. Athletes winning can come with praise and losing can come with attacks. For example, Sophomore kicker here at the University, Cam Little received some hate after missing the game-winning field goal against Texas A&M this season. Hearing everyone’s opinions of you can influence what you think of yourself in a negative way. In a position like this, it would be common for the athlete to feel bad themselves, hearing outside voices can make this worse.
Along with all of these reasons, personal issues come into play. Athletes, just like everyone else, can struggle with anxiety, depression, adjustment and general battles. Any of these things can worsen if untreated and affect their everyday lives, including their performance for their team.
According to the NCAA, a little over half of women and men’s sports participants agreed or strongly agreed that they know where to find resources on their campus for mental health. Within that number, less than half of the participants felt comfortable seeking that support.
With mental health issues also becomes the risk of losing lives by suicide. College athletes, Lauren Bernett, Katie Meyer and Sarah Schulz all took their lives this year. Struggling with mental health is serious and has serious repercussions if it goes untreated.
The University of Arkansas has many resources to help stop these issues. Christopher M. Bader is the Assistant Athletic Director of Mental Health and Performance for Arkansas Athletics. He has his personal phone number listed on the website for athletes to see and take advantage of in times of need. They also have counselors and a psychiatrist on campus available to the student-athletes to talk to and get help from. They also attend practices and games to be a source of support for the athletes.
Bader said he wants to make sure his athletes know that “no one gets anywhere without some sort of help.” It’s not embarrassing to seek help and shouldn’t be treated as such.
The Pat Walker Health Center also has resources available to students. Online help, counseling services, relaxation rooms and group help are all offered to students.
Those needing extra help can also call 988, text “BRAVE” to 741-741 or call 911 for emergency situations.
With the effort of everyone, the stigma surrounding mental health in college athletics can be changed for the better.