Having the right resources is a game changer when it comes to improving our mental health. Just ask VIS Expert™, Deborah Roche, who specializes in mental health counseling to athletes of all levels. She acknowledges that communicating with a professional is the most important piece, as we can’t substitute for human guidance and connection. We spoke with multiple women athletes to come up with 6 mental health resources to help us change the stigma around mental health.
1. Exploring Counseling and Therapy
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is available on many college campuses and offers a variety of therapy and educational sessions while creating a healthy and safe space environment for students to receive professional help. Students are connected with diverse and inclusive clinicians which are dedicated to their community. There are additional opportunities available for students like attending mental health and wellness events, training with professionals, group therapy and education workshops for students and staff. The Eric Monday Foundation advances high school athletes opportunities to strive to develop their mind, body and soul through sport. Their purpose is to raise awareness and take down the stigma on mental health. All high schools provide at least one counselor on site to treat athletes and provide additional resources to them.
2. Read Up
To improve our mental health in sport and prevent injuries as women athletes, VIS Expert™, Deborah Roche, recommends reading the book “Warrior Girls: Protecting Our Daughters Against the Injury Epidemic in Women’s Sports.” Journalist Michael Sokolove’s book discusses the injury epidemic that plagues women’s sports and how it affects our mental health as athletes. To manage our struggles with perfectionism in our game, check out “Never Good Enough.” Psychologist Monica Ramirez Basco labels mental health in her book as “uncontrolled perfectionism” and explains different strategies on how to manage negative perfectionism and be kinder to ourselves when we inevitably fail.
3. Watch
Even some of the best athletes in the world struggle with mental health. HBO sports documentary “The Weight of Gold” was directed by Brett Rapkin and narrated by the most decorated Olympian of all time Michael Phelps. These stories feature testimonies from Phelps and notable Olympic athletes who faced mental health challenges. By sharing these stories, Phelps hopes that young athletes can be more candid about their experiences.
“Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That’s what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice.”
4. Get Involved in Communal Non-Profits
Most athletes know what it is like to deal with anxiety and depression. Hilinski’s Hope was formed by Kym and Mark Hilinksi in 2018 in honor of their son Tyler to educate and fund programs for athletes to get involved in eliminating this stigma. Created by women leaders such as Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Mia Hamm, Athletes for Hope aims to participate in charitable and community events to advocate and change the world around mental health. Voice in Sport Foundation was built by our VIS leader, Stef Strack, to advocate for girls and women in sport through their journey in sport through mind, body and culture. These organizations provide women athletes with the opportunity to seek treatment and contribute to the causes of mental health.
5. Project HEAL
Survivors Liana Rosenman and Kristina Saffran launched this platform to build awareness and provide a safe space to female athletes who face struggle with eating disorders. There are great programs women athletes can get involved in such as treatment placement, insurance navigation and cash assistance for women athletes to get matched and funded for mental health.
6. Download a Meditation App like Headspace, Calm, Aura or Insight Timer
Easy and accessible wherever we go, these apps help relieve stress, prolongs better sleep cycles and improve a healthy lifestyle… all in about 10 minutes a day. Each app comes with a subscription fee after the free trial should we want to explore meditations and breathing techniques that they have to offer. Check out "Athlete Approved Meditation Apps" by VIS Creator™, Madison N.
Women athletes, it is time to end this stigma. Together, we can educate ourselves and change the narrative of mental health!
