Beyond the Physical: Student-Athletes’ Struggle with Mental Health

TFC Men’s Basketball players Khobe Comer, Quinton Brown, and Ramos Godfrey.

Elite athletes are often revered for their physical strength and feats in the sports industry, but what about their mental health? According to a 2019 study, “35% of elite athletes suffer from a mental health crisis which may manifest as stress, eating disorders, burnout, or depression and anxiety.” I sat down with Toccoa Falls College Men’s Basketball players Khobe Comer, Quinton Brown, and Ramod Godfrey to raise awareness about this issue and discuss how the community can support them.

The players agree that an athlete’s mental health is a vital part of the game. Comer, who is one of the team captains, says the things an athlete experiences can impact the way they play the game. Also, the pressure of being a full-time student, full-time athlete, and having other necessary roles can be difficult to maintain, especially in a team environment.

“It’s hard because you’re trying to stay ‘locked in’ for the team, but it’s almost impossible to do it for them when you can’t even do it for yourself,” Brown said.

Common stereotypes portray athletes as lazy or dislike studying which make it harder for student-athletes to speak up about issues regarding their mental health.

“People put us into these categories, but being an athlete already means being a hard worker,” Comer said.

This past season, the Men’s Basketball team played a total of 34 games, over half of which were away games that required long periods of traveling.

“When we’re gone for a minute, we come back and people already expect us to know everything,” Comer said. “As soon as we begin struggling, that’s when they say, ‘see–I told you they were lazy.” 

Not only do athletes struggle with their mental health, but finding someone to guide them through their hardship is a struggle. Godfrey says they often rely on their friends for support. 

However, they also share that it is difficult to be vulnerable with people who do not understand the specific struggles they experience as student-athletes.

“It would be nice to have someone with an office in Athletics that has studied about it and is familiar with our struggles,” Comer said.

Continuing to talk about mental health and being vulnerable are great ways to ensure people are aware of the struggles of student-athletes instead of relying on stereotypes. The players say that having an inner circle and people who are ready to listen are also helpful ways for student-athletes to support their own mental health.

“That support is the biggest thing we could ask for,” they said. “Because after all, we’re just like you.”