In recent months, U.S. college athletes have been speaking out about their struggles with mental health. Due to the media and the pressure from coaches and fans, athletes have been experiencing anxiety and depression.

This March, Stanford University soccer goalkeeper Katie Meyer committed suicide. In an interview on the Today show, her mother Gina stated, “There is anxiety and there is stress to be perfect, to be the best, to be number one.” 

It is assumed Katie ended her life because the pressure and stress of being the best took too much of a toll on her mental health.  College athletes are developing anxiety and depression from all the hate and pressure

In another recent example, football player Harry Miller from Ohio State retired to work on his mental health. In mid-March Miller announced his retirement from football.  Although he has a 4.0 GPA, with a bright future ahead of him, he spoke on the TODAY show telling his story of the mental health struggles he’s been facing. Miller explained that he’d been hurting himself for a while and didn’t want to get help until he went to his coach for help. Fortunately his football coach directed him to help. Miller is now taking time for himself, working on his mental health, and speaking out about the realities of the pressures student-athletes are facing.

Varsity football coach, Mr. Schaumloffel, shared a coach’s view. He said, “Unfortunately, you see it all the time in the media about athletes giving up on playing because of mental health. …there is a lot of pressure placed on athletes, without a lot of resources to deal with those pressures. It is bothersome to see athletes that have been working their whole lives to get where they are to have to leave a sport that they love for their own mental health.” 

Most recently, on Friday April 1st a Binghamton lacrosse player Robert Martin died of suicide. His coaches said that there never seemed to be anything wrong and he seemed “in good spirits.” Martin was known to be a good leader and alway getting along with everyone. 

All of these stories tie together. There is a huge mental health crisis in America amongst student-athletes. Making more health programs available for students can help to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future. 

#SameHere #BeHereTomorrow 

Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts?  Here’s where to get help

Dial 911 if you are in immediate danger.

1-800-273-8255 National Suicide Prevention Hotline. This toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. By dialing 1-800-273-TALK, the call is routed to the nearest crisis center in a national network of more than 150 crisis centers.

Crisis Text Line, a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7 and confidential.