For Wright State University athletes, mental health is placed as a priority, not only to their performance but also to their everyday lives. Both inside and outside of their sports, student athletes are encouraged to look after themselves and utilize campus resources.
Spreading awareness on mental health for athletes
Whether it is student athletes, professional athletes or young athletes, mental health tends to be treated as a top priority to be taken care of.
From club teams to Division 1 sports, maintaining mental health is important at all levels of the game.
Dy'Lan Branigan is a freshman point guard for the WSU club basketball team, and talks about why this topic is so important to being an athlete.
“It is just as important, because if you don’t have your mental health and your physical health up, it’s like you can be struggling through stuff and not mentally be there and you can throw everybody off. Everyone’s focus goes off because you’re not in the zone, and then everyone is waiting on you to be accountable and help out, lead the team and if you’re not there, everything can go out of whack, and out of flow,” Branigan said.
Without good mental health, athletes may not be able to focus on the game, which can affect teammates, fans and most importantly, the athletes.
David Frederick is a senior linebacker and running back for WSU's club football team. He talked about why mental health is becoming more important now more than ever for athletes.
“I think people seem to forget athletes are just literally normal people, and they’re going to have the same struggles and everything as everybody else," Frederick said.
For athletics at all levels, the players are also people, and athletes play their sport not only for fans' enjoyment, but also for their own. Like any other individual, athletes can take on a lot in their mental load.
Counseling and Wellness Services
WSU offers many ways to support their student athletes and prioritizes their health to make sure they are not feeling overwhelmed with all they take on. From great professors to organizations and activities that offer stress relief and relaxation, one of the key resources is Counseling and Wellness Services, or CWS.
Dr. Barb Marsh, the Director of CWS, gave important information to remember about these services at WSU.
“Student-athletes at WSU have multiple options for mental-health support. Like all students, they may access services through CWS. In addition, WSU Athletics provides dedicated access to a licensed counselor who has worked with the Athletics Department for more than ten years and specializes in supporting student-athletes. Student-athletes can contact this provider directly to schedule confidential, no-cost counseling sessions," Marsh said.
Marsh also added some crucial information for all athletes to note.
“You don’t have to carry everything alone. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength. Counseling and Wellness Services are here to help our athletes succeed on and off the field.”
And for any athletes who may face mental health issues, Marsh adds important things to remember.
“Athletes face a unique combination of academic, athletic and personal demands, so proactive mental health strategies are essential. I recommend focusing on four key areas," Marsh said. "Routine and Recovery: Establish consistent sleep, nutrition, and recovery routines. / Mindfulness and Mental Skills: Use grounding skills like deep breathing and visualization. / Connection and Communication: Lean on teammates, coaches, and support staff. / Balance and Boundaries: Maintain identity outside of sport to reduce burnout."
Mental health is crucial for all athletes, but at WSU, help is always nearby.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, text, call or chat 988.
