Mental Health

What is Mental Health?

Are You In CRISIS?
The term "mental health" has become increasingly popular, especially on social media. Self-care days, setting boundaries, and identifying "toxic" relationships are common topics of conversation. But what does it really mean? While awareness of its importance is growing in popularity, the athlete community still struggles to accept its significance. It's also important to remember that mental health is a process that can fluctuate with time and life events. Here is more information on what mental health really means.

Learn

It is important NOT to self-diagnose. If you feel that you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, please contact a mental health professional or visit the Finding Support page to find more support options.

Learning about mental health can be beneficial even if you aren’t the one experiencing symptoms. It can help you understand where others are coming from, discover support options, and help you look out for yourself and each other.

Find what works for you

Mental health support is not a one-size-fits-all process. What might work for one person might not be the best option for another, so take your time reflecting on what is helpful for YOU.

Mental Health

Has a relationship with your physical health
Refers to our psychological & emotional well-being
Can affect your relationships
You can have poor mental health & not be diagnosed with a mental illness
Affects our thoughts, emotions, & behaviors
Affects how we handle stress, relate to others, & make healthy decisions for ourselves.
Facing mental health challenges does NOT mean you are "weak" or "broken"
Can be affected by your upbringing, life events, physical health, and access to resources
Is not dependent on age, race, or sex. Everyone experiences a mental health journey
1 in 5 American adults experience a mental health issue.

8%

of college students experience symptoms of mental illness

1 in 6

Youth

have experienced a depressive episode

15%

of student-athletes experience symptoms of mental illness that warrant professional counseling
1 in 12 student-athletes reported feeling so depressed it's hard to function "constantly" or "most of the day"

33%

1 in 3 student-athletes struggle with sleep difficulties

Mental Health vs. Mental Illness

Mental Health

The condition of your emotional and psychological well-being.
Everyone experiences a mental health status.
Can affect daily functioning and responsibilities.
Affects the brain and body.
Is treatable and manageable.
Very common to face mental health challenges.
Still able to be successful despite challenges.

Mental Illness

Diagnosed health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, or behavior (or a combination of these). These affect daily functioning of social, work, and individual activity.
Not everyone experiences mental illness.
Can affect daily functioning and responsibilities.
Affects the brain and body.
Can be treatable and manageable.
Mental illnesses and disorders can range from mild to severe and fluctuate on a spectrum and are more common than most people expect.
Still able to be successful despite challenges.
It is important NOT to self-diagnose. If you feel that you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, please contact a mental health professional or visit the Finding Support page to find more support options.

Learning about mental health can be beneficial even if you aren’t the one experiencing symptoms. It can help you understand where others are coming from, discover support options, and help you look out for yourself and each other.