Athlete Mental Health and Advocacy Requires Several Steps of Strategizing

Mental health is finally taking center stage in the world of sports, making the conversation around student-athletes and their well-being becoming more important than ever. With athletes increasingly opening up about their struggles, the question of how to navigate mental health while striving for peak performance is pertinent. However, there are some athletes who may not yet recognize the importance of mental wellness as a proactive measure.

How can athletes maintain and build their mental resilience, even when they feel fine? 

Discussing this subject on the latest episode of “Chats Not Stats,” host Adrienne Starr talked with Emmett Gill, a leading advocate for athlete mental health and founder of AtheleteTalk. They discussed his career journey, the importance of mental wellness in sports, and how athletes can prepare themselves for life beyond their playing days.

Their conversation also covered:

• The importance of setting SMART goals for mental health and how they can aid in skill-building.
• The role of accountability partners in maintaining and improving mental wellness.
• How to encourage athletes to focus on mental health, even when they believe they’re doing well.

Emmett Gill is the founder of AthleteTalk and is a passionate advocate for athlete mental health in sports. Gill has two decades of experience in academia and sports advocacy, He has been instrumental in supporting student-athletes through his innovative approaches to mental wellness. His work has helped countless athletes build the necessary skills to navigate the pressures of sports and life beyond.

Article by Alexandra Simon.