Embracing the Conversation of Mental Health in Athletics
These are tough times. Without school and sports, the increase in sedentariness and decrease in peer connection has created a problematic psychological cocktail. A member of our neighboring community recently lost his life to suicide. To suggest that any one thing led to his tragic passing would be an insult to the complexity of this…
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The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone. Fear, civic unrest, and professional uncertainty have made this a year to remember. On top of it all, one of the most tried-and-true ways to de-stress – sports – have been significantly interrupted. It has been a trying time for athletes, coaches, and parents. It…
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We should prioritize our health and wellness, which will give us the best shot at fending off the virus, and we should do our best to adhere to public health recommendations, which will give us the best shot at limiting the spread of the virus.
We have to frame COVID as an essential public health concern, but not the only public health concern. This is a moment to maintain thoughtful perspective, not entrench ourselves in one side of the discussion or other.
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Skip Bayless made headlines this week with his callous response to a professional athlete’s mental health concern. Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott admitted that when the quarantine first began he struggled with anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Bayless wasn’t having it. “I don’t have sympathy for him going public with, ‘I got depressed. I suffered depression early…
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At the most recent MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that many NBA players are experiencing increased anxiety which is “a direct result of social media… they’re truly unhappy.” Charles Barkley, during an interview on the ESPN show, Get Up, scoffed at the idea. He suggested that Silver’s comment was “the…
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Death by suicide is a complicated occurrence which often leaves loved ones saddened and confused. The on-paper version of Tyler Hilinski’s passing is no exception: tall, bright, likeable young man playing quarterback in the Pac10. He leaves behind a loving family and host of friends who will miss him dearly. So what went wrong? Many recent…
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Coaches, Athletes, Parents, and Mentors of all kinds… it’s time to Embrace the Conversation of Mental Health in Athletics. At the Good Athlete Project, we believe that if you are part of a team, there should always be someone to reach out to. Coaches should work to embrace the conversation and support athletes as needed.…
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MentalHealth.gov: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help Embrace Mental Health: https://www.embracemh.org/ Hotlines via Embrace Mental Health: https://www.embracemh.org/hotlines Take a Screening via Embrace Mental Health: https://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/embracemh Self-Care Networks and Apps via Embrace Mental Health: https://www.embracemh.org/self-care
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Death by suicide is a complicated occurrence which often leaves loved ones saddened and confused. The on-paper version of Tyler Hilinski’s passing is no exception: tall, bright, likeable young man playing quarterback in the Pac10. He leaves behind a loving family and host of friends who will miss him dearly. So what went wrong? Many recent…
Read More