The Hidden Struggle: Why College Athletes Battle Depression and Anxiety

From the outside, college athletes seem to have it all. They're in peak physical condition, competing at the highest level, living the dream that millions of high school athletes chase.

But behind the highlight reels and the packed stadiums, many college athletes are struggling with something most people don't see: their mental health.

Approximately 30% of college athletes report experiencing symptoms of depression. 80% experience high levels of stress. More than one-third feel overwhelmed on a regular basis.

These aren't just statistics. They're your kids. And if your child is heading to college to play a sport, or if they're already there, you need to understand what they're facing and how you can help.

The Pressure Cooker of College Athletics

College athletes deal with stressors that their non-athlete peers don't experience. Yes, they have to balance academics, social lives, and the normal challenges of young adulthood. But they also have to:

Perform at an elite level consistently. One bad game can cost playing time, a starting spot, or even a scholarship. The pressure to perform is relentless.

Maintain academic standards. Student-athletes have to meet NCAA eligibility requirements while juggling practice schedules, travel, and competition. Falling behind academically isn't just about grades—it can mean losing the ability to compete.

Manage brutal physical demands. Training, competition, recovery, injuries—college athletes push their bodies to the limit. When they're hurt, they face the impossible choice of playing through pain or sitting out and losing their spot.

Navigate intense scrutiny. Coaches, teammates, fans, and sometimes the media are watching their every move. Social media amplifies criticism and praise in ways that can be overwhelming.

Deal with isolation. The commitment required to compete at the college level often means missing out on the typical college experience. While their peers are at parties or just hanging out, athletes are at practice, traveling for games, or recovering.

All of this creates a perfect storm for mental health issues. And unlike physical injuries, mental health struggles are often invisible—and stigmatized.

Why College Athletes Don't Ask for Help

Despite the prevalence of mental health issues among college athletes, many suffer in silence. Why?

Fear of appearing weak. Athletes are taught to be tough, to push through pain, to never show vulnerability. Admitting you're struggling with anxiety or depression can feel like admitting you're not strong enough to compete.

Fear of losing playing time. If a coach knows you're dealing with mental health issues, will they see you as a liability? Will they bench you? Athletes worry that seeking help will cost them their spot on the team.

Lack of time. Between practice, games, travel, and academics, there's barely time to sleep, let alone attend therapy sessions.

Stigma. Mental health is still stigmatized in sports culture. Athletes worry about being judged by coaches, teammates, or fans if they admit they're struggling.

This silence is dangerous. Untreated mental health issues don't just affect an athlete's well-being—they affect their performance, their relationships, and their future.

How Mental Health Impacts Performance

Mental health and athletic performance are deeply connected. When an athlete is struggling mentally, it shows up on the field.

Depression leads to lack of motivation, decreased energy, and difficulty concentrating. An athlete who's depressed may struggle to push through tough workouts or maintain focus during games.

Anxiety causes physical symptoms like increased heart rate, sweating, and muscle tension—all of which hurt performance. It also leads to overthinking, which can paralyze decision-making in high-pressure moments.

Sleep deprivation (often caused by stress and anxiety) impairs reaction time, decision-making, and recovery. Athletes who aren't sleeping well can't perform at their best.

When mental health suffers, everything else suffers too. Athletes can't train effectively, recover properly, or compete at the level they're capable of. And the worse their performance gets, the more their mental health declines. It's a vicious cycle.

What Causes Mental Health Issues in College Athletes?

Several factors contribute to the mental health crisis among college athletes:

Performance Pressure

College athletics is competitive. Coaches have high expectations. Teammates are counting on you. Scouts might be watching. The pressure to perform can be crushing, especially when an athlete feels like one mistake could cost them everything.

Fear of Failure (and Injury)

Athletes live with the constant fear that they'll fail—miss the shot, drop the pass, blow the race. They also fear injury, which can derail their entire career in an instant. That fear creates chronic stress and anxiety.

Lack of Sleep

The physical demands of college athletics make it hard to get adequate rest. Late practices, early morning workouts, travel schedules—athletes are chronically sleep-deprived. And sleep deprivation is directly linked to depression and anxiety.

Isolation and Loneliness

College athletes often feel disconnected from their non-athlete peers. Their schedules are so demanding that they miss out on social events, study groups, and just hanging out. That isolation can lead to loneliness and depression.

Academic Pressure

Student-athletes have to maintain their grades while competing at an elite level. Balancing coursework with athletics is exhausting, and falling behind academically creates even more stress.

What Parents Can Do

If your child is a college athlete, here's how you can support their mental health:

Check in regularly (and really listen).

Don't just ask, "How's the team doing?" Ask, "How are you doing?" Create space for honest conversations about how they're feeling, not just how they're performing.

Normalize mental health conversations.

Let your child know that struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression doesn't make them weak. It makes them human. Encourage them to seek help if they need it.

Remind them of their worth beyond sports.

Your child's value isn't tied to their stats, their playing time, or their team's record. Remind them that you're proud of them for who they are, not just what they achieve on the field.

Encourage them to prioritize self-care.

Sleep, nutrition, downtime—these aren't luxuries. They're necessities. Help your child understand that taking care of their mental health isn't selfish or weak.

Know the resources available.

Most colleges have counseling centers that provide mental health services to students, including athletes. Make sure your child knows these resources exist and that it's okay to use them.

What Coaches and Athletic Departments Should Do

Coaches and athletic departments have a responsibility to prioritize mental health. Here's what that looks like:

Educate staff on mental health. Coaches should be trained to recognize signs of mental health struggles and know how to respond appropriately.

Break the stigma. Create a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness. When coaches openly discuss mental health, athletes feel more comfortable doing the same.

Provide accessible resources. Make mental health services easy to access. That might mean bringing therapists into athletic facilities or offering flexible scheduling for counseling sessions.

Monitor workload and rest. Overtraining and lack of recovery contribute to mental health issues. Coaches should prioritize rest and recovery as much as they prioritize performance.

Resources for College Athletes

If you or your child needs support, here are places to start:

• Campus Counseling Centers: Most colleges offer free or low-cost mental health services to students.
• NCAA Mental Health Resources: The NCAA provides mental health support specifically for college athletes.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Offers resources and support for individuals dealing with mental health issues.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor anytime.

The Bottom Line

College athletes are under immense pressure, and many are struggling with their mental health in silence. As parents, coaches, and members of the athletics community, we have a responsibility to recognize this struggle and provide support.

Mental health isn't a weakness. It's not something athletes should have to push through alone. And seeking help isn't giving up—it's taking control.

If your child is a college athlete, talk to them about mental health. Let them know it's okay to not be okay. Encourage them to seek help when they need it. And remind them that their worth goes far beyond what they do on the field.

Because at the end of the day, their mental health matters more than any game, any win, or any scholarship. And they deserve to thrive—not just as athletes, but as people.

 

Ian Goldberg is the CEO of Signature Media and the Editor of the largest and fastest growing sports parenting newsletter.  He’s been recognized as an industry expert by the National Alliance for Youth Sports, the US Olympic Committee’s Truesport, and the Aspen Institute's Project Play.  Ian is also a suburban NJ sports dad of two teenage daughters and has over 2,000 hours of volunteer time coaching them (which he calls the most fun form of  R&D for his newsletter content).  Ian and his team provide players, coaches, parents and program directors with the articles and content they need to have a great sports season.  Ian has spent most of his career in digital product development and marketing and got his start at the White House where he worked for the economic advisors to two US Presidents.