Future College Athlete and The Rise Of Perfectionism: Future Trend 5—Mental Health Stigma
By Michael Cerreto
Perfectionism is on the rise. If the trend continues for the next ten years, it may profoundly impact the personalities and mental health of athletes who enter college in the 2030s. The following is the fifth of a seven-part series about how the rise of perfectionism can impact future college athletes. Let’s look at Future Trend 5.
“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, you are not the rain.”
Future Trend 5: Athletes' Mental Health Stigma Will Grow and Become a Barrier To Care
Male and female student-athletes have similar levels of knowledge about mental health, but both groups tend to think that mental health diagnoses are negative. Furthermore, studies indicate that male athletes tend to have more negative thoughts and attitudes about mental illness than women (State, 2023; Georgia State University News, 2023). It seems like athletes know about mental health problems, but some still have negative attitudes about it, with men likely to hold more negative beliefs.
Even though college athletes face the same mental health problems as other students, the pressure to perform, succeed, and maintain their image as strong athletes can make them feel vulnerable and hesitant to seek help (Cleveland Clinic, 2021; Georgia State University News, 2023). Doing so can seriously harm their self-confidence and well-being (Purcell et al., 2019).
By the 2030s, the pressure to be perfect might become so intense that athletes will not feel comfortable talking about their mental health struggles. It's unfortunate to think that this stigma could get even worse over time (British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2019; Yoon & Petrie, 2023)
Let us take a look at some factors that will fuel perfectionism and mental health stigma:
Don’t Show Weakness: When it comes to sports, there is pressure to be rugged, perfect, and always aim for the top. This mindset will become prominent and make athletes feel like mental health issues are a sign of weakness (Purcell et al., 2019).
Don’t Lose Opportunities: Athletes will worry that, if they reveal their mental health issues, they will lose their spot in the lineup, playing time, professional contracts, or sponsorships (British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2019).
Hide Vulnerable Side: Athletes understand that their mental toughness plays a vital role in achieving success. That is why they will hesitate to reveal their vulnerable side in the future (UC Speaks Up. (n.d.).
College athletes have a tough time balancing their drive for athletic excellence with the need for mental health support. Sadly, there is a stigma surrounding mental health that makes it hard for them to seek the help they need. They deal with the same mental health issues as non-athletic students but feel like they cannot discuss it without being seen as weak. This fear can worsen the problem, and this stigma could grow by the 2030s. This culture of silence could hurt athletes' mental health and their performance.
References
State, A. T.-G. (2023, September 11). College athletes face high rates of mental health stigma. Futurity. https://www.futurity.org/college-athletes-mental-health-stigma-2972242
Georgia State University News. (2023, September 7). Study: College Athletes Experience Higher Rates of Mental Health Stigma. Georgia State News Hub. https://news.gsu.edu/2023/09/07/study-college-athletes-experience-high-rates-of-mental-health-stigma
Cleveland Clinic. (2021, August 10). Athletes and Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mental-health-in-athletes
Purcell, R., Gwyther, K., & Rice, S. M. (2019). Mental Health In Elite Athletes: Increased Awareness Requires An Early Intervention Framework to Respond to Athlete Needs. Sports Medicine - Open, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-019-0220-1.
British Journal of Sports Medicine. (2019, May 16). Stigma deterring elite athletes with mental health issues from seeking help | BMJ. BMJ. https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/stigma-deterring-elite-athletes-with-mental-health-issues-from-seeking-help/
Yoon, J. J., & Petrie, T. (2023). Barriers and Facilitators of College Athletes Seeking Mental Health Services. Journal of Athletic Training, 58(9). https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0559.22
UC Speaks Up. (n.d.). Mental Health And Stigma. UC Speaks Up. http://ucspeaksup.org/mental-health-and-stigma/
