Feeling sad or down can be uncomfortable, and it's natural to want to make those feelings go away as quickly as possible. Experiencing these emotions occasionally is a normal part of life. As an athlete, you may experience sadness after a loss, injury, losing minutes in games, or feeling homesick. This is completely normal. It's important to acknowledge that it's normal for everyone, including athletes to feel tough emotions.

However, athletes are often discouraged from openly discussing these emotions due to the emphasis on mental toughness in sports. If you are feeling sad for the majority of days or if it's affecting how you think, feel, and handle daily activities, there's a chance something more serious is going on. If persistent sadness is affecting your daily life, consider seeking help.

Remember everyone is different. Experiencing some or all of these signs and symptoms does NOT automatically mean you have depression. A diagnosis requires a mental healthcare professional and meeting several criteria; these are just examples.