Rising Suicide Amongst Youth & Collegiate Athletes
The world of sports can be an incredibly demanding and stressful environment especially for young athletes who are constantly under pressure to perform both academically and athletically. Unfortunately, this pressure can sometimes take a toll on their mental health, leading to thoughts of suicide. Studies have shown that suicide rates amongst athletes are unusually high, particularly among youth and collegiate-level athletes. This may be due to a number of factors, including the intense pressure to perform both on and off the field, feelings of isolation and lack of support from peers, coaches, or teammates, bullying, and the pervasive body image pressures that many young athletes face.
"help them to thrive both physically and mentally"
As suicide rates amongst youth and collegiate athletes continue to rise, it is more important than ever for these individuals to take steps to cope with the stress and pressure they face both on and off the field. By utilizing mental health and mental performance resources like counselors, therapists, support groups, and programs such as the ones offered by MSM Foundation, athletes can learn effective coping strategies that will help them manage the stress and isolation they experience in their day-to-day lives, and in fact help them to perform at their peak levels while bringing the enjoyment back. Furthermore, by staying connected to family members, friends, coaches, or teammates who provide support and encouragement, athletes can find the strength they need to overcome these difficult feelings. With these measures in place, we can work together to prevent suicide amongst our youth and collegiate athletes, and help them to thrive both physically and mentally.
If you are an athlete or know of an athlete struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out to family, friends, or teammates who can provide support and encouragement. We also encourage you to reach out to us here at MSM Foundation. We care and we can provide you skills and tools that have helped thousands of young athletes and their families find hope and even gain back their love for their game and for your lives!
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Jeff Wong
MSM Foundation
Director of Grants Management
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