Supporting Your Athletes' Mental Health

There has been enormous progress made in the athletic community in understanding the impact of individual well-being.  Over the past eight years we have been encouraged to see organizations and teams invite mental health into their programming.

We have also become increasingly aware of a desire to 'flag' individual athletes when they are struggling or feeling mentally unwell.

While providing support for individuals will always be important, there’s actually another way that coaches can be of service to their athletes’ mental health.

The answer is in the team culture. 

When we reach a group we have the power to reach the individuals within.

If you consider a team of 20+ athletes, the attention, time and commitment needed to reach each and every one of them can seem overwhelming.  But if you put attention, time and commitment into creating the right environment for them all, you’ll see positive results.

So what does it take to craft the right supportive culture that, in turn, supports the well-being of your athletes? 

Here are three thought-starters for you to consider:

• ONE: Are you modeling?
  Demonstrate what you expect from them via your own words and actions. 
  
  As a coach, you have the opportunity to model a willingness to communicate about mental health and an openness to discussing challenging events and difficult subjects. 

  When you show that it is ok to talk about stress, pressure, struggles in relationships, or sadness, you are acknowledging that we are all complex individuals.
  
  You also have the power to show them that being a kind person matters; that caring about each other matters.

• TWO: Do you have a process for checking in?

  The key to spotting trouble is paying attention. Determine what’s the best way for you to stay close to the mood of the team and individuals. It can be as simple as a weekly check in of “How are we doing?” and speaking to what you are seeing as the leader.
  
  If you have an athlete who is seemingly in slow motion one day.  Instead of assuming they are slacking off, lean in. It could be something surprising that is causing the behaviour. Do you have a plan for how you would approach that individual with an earnest curiosity? It pays to hold off judgement and ask questions first.

• THREE: Can you listen without fixing?

  Often coaches feel a sense of overwhelm when the discussion of mental health comes into the conversation. The good news is that you aren’t expected to understand the nuances of psychology  in order to support well-being. You only need to listen, not fix.

  When you’ve done a good job of creating a safe place, your athletes will also feel confident enough to come forward with their struggles. The most important thing you can do is simply hear them out. Don’t look to give them advice or solutions. Let them talk.

While we will always encourage organizations, teams and coaches to include a focus on the individual athlete, we embolden you to exercise your reach to the many youths you have been charged with leading. In creating a safe environment, you are reaching each and every athlete who is lucky enough to be a part of your team.

For more information on HONE Athletics, please visit https://honeathletics.com/