The first thing that comes to mind when we consider teen athletes are the benefits sports can have on their physical, mental and emotional health. While there are definite benefits, we must also recognize that mental health problems in teenagers are common and our young athletes are not exempt. They may even be at an increased risk of mental illness when you combine the challenges of adolescence with the unique factors of being a competitive athlete.

Sports teach our teenagers skills such as dedication, focus, teamwork and coping that help them be resilient, successful and better people in everyday life. However, sports may also add stress to our teens’ lives as they are balancing school and sports, missing out on other events and activities, feeling the pressure to win or experiencing self-doubt in their abilities. Today, being “a great athlete” in a sport is easily quantified by statistics and everyone strives to be a winner. They may get caught up in the feeling of being defined by their performance and lose sight of how sports are more than winning or being the best. Without proper guidance and support, this stress can cancel out the numerous benefits of being an athlete. It can result in a lack of skill development both on and off the field leading to injuries, self-doubt, lack of confidence, anxiety and depression.

Here are some strategies parents and caregivers can use to help support their mental (and overall) well-being:

1. Communication: Talk to your athlete often about how they feel about their sport and how it fits into their lives. This gives them time to share their frustrations and successes, helps them process their emotions related to their sport, and helps them feel valued and understood. It’s a good time to see if they’re enjoying their sport or having difficulties with balancing their different responsibilities.
2. Set an example: Show them that you are calm in challenging moments and situations, or even when they make a mistake. Taking deep breaths and taking a pause in heated moments models skills for self-regulation that they themselves can use while helping shift the pressure of needing to be perfect.
3. Keep perspective: Remind yourself and your child that sports are more than wins and losses. It’s okay to feel passionate about what happens, but what truly is important is having fun, being a team player and learning new skills. Every baseball player strikes out at the plate! Even the top hitters in the pros.
4. Help build positive mental skills: Practice positive self-talk and mental imagery as preparation for the game as well as for challenging tasks.
5. Avoid injury: Emphasize safety, different practices and skills training, stretching, rest days and participating in various sports. Loss of time in the sport due to injury can in turn increase mental and emotional struggles. Preparation and recovery take much longer than the actual game.

Most importantly, keep cheering them on! If you have a concern, share it with the coach or reach out to your pediatrician. With these strategies, your child can feel supported and continue to thrive on and off the field.

Written by: Vivian Aldana, DO

BayCare Pediatric Residency Program

Helpful Resources:

BayCare Kids and On Our Sleeves

The Kids Mental Health Foundation