Kelly Houseman

Athletes, Mental Health Is Just as Important as Your Game-Especially This Suicide Prevention Month

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Hey team,

So here’s the deal — I’m a licensed therapist, and while I could throw around a bunch of clinical terms and stats, I’d rather talk to you human-to-human (or athlete-to-therapist, really). I work with a lot of athletes, and let me tell you: just because your body is strong doesn’t mean your mind always feels that way too.

And that’s okay. Like actually okay.

It’s Suicide Prevention Month, and I wanted to say a few things not from the top of a soapbox, but more like a friend or coach in your corner. Because mental health in athletics doesn’t get talked about enough, and it should.

 

Let’s Get Real for a Second

Athletes are some of the toughest people I know-mentally, emotionally, physically. But sometimes that pressure to be the strongest in the room turns into feeling like you can’t show weakness. Like you’re supposed to just “push through it” even when your mind is begging for a timeout.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: needing help doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human.

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What Mental Struggles Can Look Like in Athletes

Mental health struggles in athletes don’t always look like sadness or crying in the locker room (though that happens too, and it’s valid). Sometimes it looks like:

• Feeling numb, flat, or disconnected (even after a win).

• Burnout and fatigue that no amount of sleep fixes.

• Anxiety about performance that spirals into panic.

• Constant self-doubt, even when you’re crushing it.

• Using substances or risky behaviors to cope.

• Thoughts of "What’s the point?" or "They’d be better off without me."

If you’ve felt any of these — pause and breathe. You're not alone.

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How Athletes Can Get Help (Without It Being a Whole Thing)

Here’s how you can start getting support — in ways that don’t feel like they require a whole press release:

1. Find a therapist who gets athletes.
   You want someone who understands performance culture, team dynamics, and the grind. You don’t have to explain why game day anxiety is different from test anxiety — we just get it.

2. Talk to your athletic trainer or mental skills coach.
   A good coach wants you to be well on and off the field. And many teams now have mental health resources on staff like sports psychologists, wellness coordinators, or therapy referrals.

3. Use anonymous help lines or text services.
   Not ready to talk face-to-face? That’s okay. There are anonymous support options like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (yes, just dial 988) or text “HOME” to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor.

4. Build your personal mental health toolkit.

   • Sleep like it’s recovery (because it is).

   • Journal after games or practices to track your emotional state.

   • Practice mindfulness-not just for zen vibes, but to stay in the moment.

   • Get curious about your thoughts instead of judging them.

 

But What If You’re Worried About a Teammate?

Maybe you’re solid right now, but you’ve noticed someone else pulling back, isolating, or acting “off.”

Please don’t ignore it.

Ask them directly — “Hey, are you okay?” or even, “Have you thought about hurting yourself?” You won’t put the idea in their head. If anything, you might be the first person who’s made them feel seen.

And if you're worried, tell someone. A coach, an athletic director, a parent — someone who can step in.

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Final Thoughts — From Your Therapist Friend 

Mental health isn’t separate from athletic performance it’s part of it. You can’t play your best if you feel your worst. And showing up for yourself mentally is just as brave and badass as hitting the game-winning shot.

This Suicide Prevention Month, let’s normalize reaching out, checking in, and remembering that even the strongest athletes need support.

You’re not weak. You’re a whole human.

And if no one’s told you lately: I’m proud of you. Keep going.

Want to talk more or need resources? I’ve got recs. And if you’re in crisis, please call 988 — there’s help, and you matter way more than you know.