BetterHelp's Stop The Madness Campaign: Valuing Athlete Mental Health

In recent years, athletes have faced increasing pressure to perform, resulting in significant impacts on their health and overall well-being. Student athletes, elite athletes, and female athletes are at a higher risk of these impacts. BetterHelp recognizes that mental healthcare can be challenging to access as a student and has implemented its "Stop the Madness" campaign to offer one month of free online therapy to all student athletes, encouraging more athletes in prioritizing mental health. Below, explore this mental health awareness movement in more detail, as well as ways to reduce stigma, practice self-care, and find support for athlete mental health. 

Athlete mental health challenge prevalence 

Athletes are at a higher risk of mental health challenges. According to a study in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, over 51% of elite athletes experience a mental health problem. Of this percentage, women represent 58.9% of all the athletes, making up the majority of those experiencing these challenges. The worst age for mental health concerns in athletes was 19, with a typical onset of symptoms around ages 17 to 21. For this reason, elite student athletes are at the highest risk of mental health conditions, stress, burnout, and trauma. 

Common mental health issues in athletes: Anxiety, depression, and stress 

Certain mental health conditions may be more common in athletes than others. Below, explore recent statistics on these challenges. 

Depression

Student-athletes are at a higher risk of depressive disorders. According to a 2022 study, 16% to 31% of student athletes experienced moderate to severe depression symptoms. Because depression can be difficult to pinpoint, especially in men, looking for the warning signs of depressive disorders may be helpful for athletes, their families, and their loved ones. Below are some of the signs to look for: 

• Reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Prolonged sadness
• Irritability (more common than sadness in men) 
• Substance use (more common in men) 
• Thoughts of suicide 
• Changes in sleep habits
• Appetite changes 
• Difficulty finding motivation 
• Negative self-talk 
• Reduced interest in self-care and daily habits 

Anxiety 

Anxiety disorders are also more common in athletes. According to the same above study, 25% to 48% of athletes experience anxiety disorders, making them more common than depression. Anxiety can cause symptoms like worries about performance, difficulty trusting one’s own performance, and fear of what others think of them. Anxiety can cause extreme pressure, causing an athlete to put more effort into their athletics than they may have the energy for, increasing their risk of burnout.

Eating disorders: One of the most common athlete mental health challenges 

One of the highest causes of mental health distress in athletes is eating disorders. Due to the pressure placed on athletes to maintain their strength and physical health, they may also worry about their weight and body size. Some athletes are expected to maintain a certain weight to continue competing, which can lead to pressure to lose weight quickly or maintain a smaller body size. 

Restrictive eating and binge-purging habits are more common in athletes. One 2024 study found that one in five athletes is at risk of an eating disorder or disordered eating behaviors, a number representing most athletes, especially student athletes and women, who are at a higher risk of external pressure to maintain a specific body size. Men are at a higher risk of muscle dysmorphia. 

Trauma and mental health issues from bullying and online hate campaigns 

Athletes are frequently faced with bullying and hate campaigns, primarily online. One in three athletes faces abuse and bullying of this type, with women being at a higher risk. Studies show that this type of cyberbullying and repeated harassment can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even in adults. In addition, this type of bullying can lead athletes to partake in specific unhealthy behaviors, such as restrictive eating or social isolation, to avoid being treated this way. Because athletes are often perceived as mere forms of “entertainment” by the public, they are subjected to significantly unfair expectations to succeed or conform to a particular appearance. Some athletes receive death threats or have their personal information shared online, putting them and their families at risk. 

Understanding BetterHelp’s Stop The Madness campaign 

Due to the abuse college athletes are subjected to online, BetterHelp has developed a groundbreaking initiative called  the “Stop the Madness” campaign in March to support student athletes. For this initiative, BetterHelp partners with UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice, hoping to make a difference in the lives of student athletes by offering free support in the form of one month of free therapy to all student athletes. We want to play a pivotal role in transforming mental health support for athletes and other underserved communities. 

How you can get involved

The importance of therapy for athletes 

Athletes are often under considerable pressure to maintain their health. Part of staying physically healthy is also caring for one's mental health. Therapy can seem like an option only available to those with “severe” mental health conditions. However, anyone can seek therapy, including for common challenges like stress, relationship conflict, pressure in athletics, and distress based on their career or sport of choice. Studies show that partaking in therapy can reduce depression, anxiety, social anxiety, substance use challenges, eating concerns, hostility, and academic distress in student athletes. 

Why athlete mental health needs critical attention today

With the rising pressure athletes face combined with increasing stigma, athlete mental health awareness may be more crucial than ever before. 

Mental health stigma in college sports

The world of college sports can be highly competitive. In this public arena, any sign of weakness can be magnified by fans or the media, forcing many athletes to put on a brave face when they’re injured. This same pressure is often applied when it comes to athlete's mental health. While many are raising critical awareness of these issues, mental health stigma remains. 

The unmet mental health need among student athletes

Student athletes often face higher rates of mental health conditions compared to other populations, but statistics show that fewer than half seek help for these disorders. This unmet need can have serious implications on and off the field for the student athletes facing mental illness, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more. 

How mental health impacts performance and life beyond sports

Untreated mental health conditions can affect athletes in various ways. Their athletic training and sports performance can be compromised, which can lead to a cycle of perceived failure and worsening mental health. 

Psychological health and on the court performance

There’s a whole subfield of psychology devoted to the topic of athlete mental health and its impact on performance. Sports psychology focuses on how psychological health often translates to on-the-court performance, for better or for worse. It’s widely accepted that the mindset of one or two key players can influence the outcome of the entire game. 

Supporting personal growth and future goals

Of course, the broader goal of mental health awareness campaigns is to support the personal growth and future goals of the athletes themselves. When competitors feel comfortable tending to both their mental and physical needs in equal measure, they’re better equipped to achieve personal goals when living life in and out of the arena. 

How to reduce stigma for athletes 

Reducing the stigmas and pressures put on athletes can be part of reducing the impact of online bullying and hate campaigns against athletes, especially women. One way to do so may be to speak up about the challenges you see in these areas, even if you’re not an athlete. Share mental health campaigns like BetterHelp’s Stop the Madness campaign and news stories about athletes who speak up about their struggles with mental health. 

Inspiring open dialogue and awareness

Additionally, discuss your own mental health to inspire open dialogue, and consider donating to organizations that raise awareness of these challenges or fund community events or research for athletes. Part of reducing this stigma may also be reducing sexism in your community by speaking up when you hear sexist jokes about women’s sports, female athletes or any woman. Share body-positive content and speak up against people who make harmful or sexual comments about women’s bodies. Get involved with mental health initiatives that resonate with you, and prioritize your own mental wellness. 

How to protect your mental health as an athlete 

Below are a few suggestions for improving your mental well-being through self-care: 

• Ask for help from loved ones when you need it 
• Stand up for yourself 
• Stand up for other athletes, especially if you have more privilege (for example, if you’re a male athlete, you might speak up about how female athletes are commonly treated)
• Share physical and mental health statistics 
• Ask your school or team to speak up about mental health and athletics, or host a campaign to spread awareness
• Consider starting a mental health fundraiser to raise money for mental health organizations that support student-athlete mental health 
• Take a break when you need one to reduce your risk of a mental health crisis  
• Learn to set boundaries on your body, energy, money, and time 
• Take a social media break 
• Access free and low-cost mental health resources 
• Block accounts that frequently share negative content about athletics and don’t support athletes’ mental health interventions 
• Consider signing up for one free month of therapy with BetterHelp for the Stop the Madness campaign, even if you haven’t tried therapy before 

What famous and professional athletes have to say about mental health struggles 

Many athletes are speaking up about their struggles with mental health and how they have accessed mental health services for their mental health symptoms. If you’re an athlete with mental health challenges, you’re not alone. Consider the following messages and quotes from famous or well-known athletes: 

• “Advice for other athletes: Keep your circle small. People are going to have their opinions and negative things to say. However, whoever you trust, whoever is in your circle—Listen to what they say instead of the outside noise.” –Zoe Brooks (NC State guard) 
• “Therapy saved my life.” –Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps 
• “Just being able to let those things out that you just tuck in your little secret part of your heart helps a lot. I feel much more at peace now.” –Olympic skier, Chloe Kim 
• “What I have found about mental health or mental illness is that it takes many shapes and forms. I think it’s very important for kids and their parents to understand what is going on, and that’s why being here is very important.” –Miami Heat forward, Kevin Love, about the Kevin Love Fund 
• “Recently, I decided to get on an antidepressant medication. That was one of the best decisions I've made. –American sprinter, Noah Lyles 

Support for athletes through BetterHelp 

If you’re seeking mental health support, finding in-person care can be difficult, especially if you’re a busy athlete. If you’re a student-athlete, you can take advantage of BetterHelp’s 'Stop the Madness' campaign to receive a free month of therapy, which includes one session per week via phone, video, or live chat. BetterHelp aims to remove traditional barriers to mental health care through free support and long-term resources for athletes of all levels. You can message your therapist at any time and access additional resources, including journaling prompts, worksheets, goal-tracking tools, and weekly support groups. Anyone can sign up for an online platform like BetterHelp to access these services at a low cost. 

Tailored therapy in a convenient online format

Studies show that the convenient online format of virtual  therapy may also be beneficial for student-athletes and students in general. For example, one study found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions delivered online significantly reduced burnout in this population, as well as depression and anxiety symptoms. With the right support, athletes can shine on and off the field.