Thank you for an incredible Athlete Mental Health Week!
From May 4-May 11, 2024, Athletes for Hope was proud to partner with Hilinski’s Hope to bring Athlete Mental Health Week. The goal of the week is to raise awareness, destigmatize, and provide quality mental health resources to athletes nationwide. ALL athletes are included in this week, no matter the league or level, as we amplify their voices and institute meaningful change around mental health.
We are so excited to share a recap of the week in the near future and are even more thrilled to celebrate again in May 2025!
Why Athlete Mental Health Matters
With young adults, especially college athletes, the statistics are startling: 33% of all college students experience significant symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions. Among that group, 30% seek help. But of college athletes with mental health conditions, only 10% do. Among professional athletes, data shows that up to 35% of elite athletes suffer from a mental health crisis which may manifest as stress, eating disorders, burnout, or depression and anxiety.
Among U.S. college athletes, suicide is now the second leading cause of death after accidents — and rates have doubled from 7.6% to 15.3% over the past 20 years, according to a study published April 4 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.