Understanding depression in collegiate athletes

College athletes are often seen as resilient, disciplined, and mentally tough, but behind the scenes, many are quietly struggling. Depression, anxiety, and overwhelming stress have become alarmingly common. Research suggests that between 15% and 33% of college athletes are at risk for depression, and those numbers have only worsened since the pandemic. One report found that depression rates remain 1.5 to 2 times higher than pre-COVID levels, and another revealed that 80% of college athletes experience high stress, with nearly a third feeling completely overwhelmed.

Educators and coaches are in a strong position to help. Using the research-backed insights and actionable strategies below, you can learn to identify, support, and empower student-athletes who may be dealing with depression. Read on to better understand the challenges they face and how you can make a difference. 

What contributes to depression in collegiate athletes?

Depression in student-athletes is rarely caused by one factor. Most often, it stems from systemic and personal pressures that are unique to athletes. Knowing some common causes and symptoms of depression can help you identify and address them before things get worse. 

Performance pressures

The competitive drive to excel can be a double-edged sword for athletes at this level. On one hand, their dedication is a large part of how they’ve gotten to this point. On the other hand, a fear of failure, pressure from coaches, and expectations from teammates and fans can become overwhelming. 

Almost three-quarters of college athletes feel pressured to perform by their coaches or teammates. The constant need to meet or exceed expectations can impact self-esteem and cause persistent symptoms of anxiety or depression. As a result, some athletes may begin to view any setback, whether it's losing a game or having a bad practice, as a personal failure rather than an opportunity to improve.

Injuries and recovery challenges

Injuries are a risk with any sport, but the psychological impact of being hurt is often underestimated. A sudden loss of physical ability or a long recovery period can cause some athletes to feel helpless, hopeless, frustrated, and isolated. 

After an injury, many student-athletes struggle with fears about their future. Their concerns over letting their team down during and after rehabilitation can get in the way of a full recovery. Research shows that the injury and recovery process can significantly increase the risk of depression among athletes.

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
“An injury can break more than bones—it can shake an athlete’s identity, challenge their mental resilience, and leave lasting emotional scars long after the body heals. The recovery process is often long and unpredictable, which challenges an athlete's resilience and patience.”}
_{- Liz Colliza, LPC, Director of Clinical Content}

Loss of identity outside the sport

For most collegiate athletes, their sport is more than an extracurricular activity. It’s a core part of their identity and something they’ve worked decades for. When an injury, performance slump, or transition out of the game finally happens for any reason, many struggle with a profound sense of loss. Not having that athletic role in their life can leave them questioning their sense of self-worth and purpose, making them even more vulnerable to depression.  

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
“An athlete’s identity is shaped by their passion, routine, and the sense of purpose they find in competition and commitment to their sport. When an injury keeps athletes from their beloved role, it can lead to a deep loss of identity and leave them vulnerable to new insecurities. Athletes dedicate an immense amount of time and energy to training for and competing in their sport, often leaving little room for other interests, relationships, or hobbies. When their sport consumes most—if not all—of their identity, losing the ability to participate can leave them feeling lost. It’s understandable, then, that they might struggle with questions about who they are, how others perceive them, and where their sense of identity truly lies."}
_{- Liz Colliza, LPC, Director of Clinical Content}

Academic and social demands

Balancing the demanding roles of student life and athletic responsibilities is no small feat. Student-athletes must manage intense training schedules, travel, and the rigor of their academic requirements. The pressure to perform well in the classroom is one of several common causes of stress in students, but especially among athletes who need to maintain eligibility. Over time, this can contribute to chronic stress and burnout.

On the social side, athletes often spend so much time training and competing that it can be difficult for them to build strong connections outside the team, leading many to feel isolated.

Sleep deprivation

Sleep is essential to physical recovery and mental health, yet a student athlete’s demanding schedule often gets in the way. Late-night practices, early-morning workouts, and academic responsibilities all compete with restorative sleep. Over time, sleep deprivation can contribute to increased mood disturbances, increasing the risk of anxiety and depression in collegiate athletes​.

Microaggressions and discrimination

For athletes from marginalized backgrounds, microaggressions and discrimination based on race, gender, or sexual orientation can damage emotional well-being. Their experiences can intensify feelings of isolation and undermine their self-esteem, both of which can contribute to developing or worsening depressive symptoms.

How depression affects college athletes on and off the field

Depression in student-athletes can affect more than just game-day performance. It can affect nearly every part of a student’s life, on and off the field. 

Depression is far-reaching and can affect everything from performance to academic success to personal well-being, and the consequences can be devastating. Research spanning more than 20 years indicates that dying by suicide is the second leading cause of death for NCAA student-athletes. Depression can cause a multitude of problems, including:

• Decline in athletic performance: Depression in athletes has well-studied repercussions. It can affect motivation, reduce energy levels, and impair focus. It might cause a noticeable drop in athletic performance during practices and competitions.
• Low motivation and energy levels: A hallmark symptom of depression is persistent fatigue and lack of enthusiasm. These make it challenging for many athletes to fully engage in training, games, or daily functioning.
• Strained relationships with teammates and coaches: Depression causes some athletes to withdraw socially. It can lead to misunderstandings and frustration, or conflicts with teammates and coaches.
• Isolation from social circles: Between the time constraints their sport causes and the depressive symptoms they’re experiencing, some athletes start to feel disconnected from their teammates, peers, friends, and family.
• Trouble concentrating in class: Depression can have cognitive symptoms that affect class performance. Some struggling athletes might have trouble concentrating or making decisions. Over time, it can affect academic performance to the point that it might even threaten some athletes’ eligibility.

8 ways to support college athletes with depression

Supporting your collegiate student-athletes takes a proactive, compassionate, and collaborative approach. Here are eight evidence-based techniques you can use to address collegiate athlete mental health​.

Normalize conversations around mental health

Reducing stigma is the number one way you can offer meaningful support. Faculty, staff, and coaches should work together to promote environments where mental health discussions are safe, routine, and, most importantly, judgment-free. 

Effective ways to normalize conversations around mental health in college students include: 

• Open-door policies
• Regular team and student check-ins
• Visible support from leadership
• Access to professional support

Learn to recognize the warning signs

As an educator, you’re in a unique position to notice early signs of depression, such as mood changes, withdrawal from activities, declining performance, or hopelessness. Mental health literacy training and communication strategies will help you learn how to effectively approach athletes you’re concerned about with empathy and confidence.

The NCAA’s Step UP! Program offers a five-step approach to addressing student-athlete mental health concerns. The method shows you how to initiate conversations using five phrases: 

• “I care” — let them know that you care about them
• “I see” — report what you’re seeing and why it’s concerning
• “I feel” — use “I” statements to share what you’re feeling 
• “I wonder” — ask what you’re wondering about
• “I will” — share what you will and won’t do to help them

Promote access to counseling and dedicated resources

Getting immediate access to professional mental health support is crucial. Partnerships with Talkspace can provide athletes with a confidential, flexible, and stigma-free way to connect with licensed therapists. 

Talkspace’s convenient access to mental health support via messaging, audio, or video sessions ensures help is available anytime, anywhere. These types of services are incredibly valuable for athletes who are already managing demanding schedules and might be hesitant to seek traditional in-person care.

Encourage balanced schedules and rest

Student-athletes need to find a balance between training, academics, and rest. Having a sustainable schedule is essential, even if it seems impossible.  

Encourage athletes to prioritize sleep, rest days, and regular time for activities outside of their sport. Balance is key to overall well-being and resilience.

Collaborate with coaches and campus wellness services

Coaches are pivotal in shaping team culture and supporting their athletes’ mental health. Joining forces offers protection when there’s a concern about an athlete’s emotional well-being.  

Regular communication is essential. Use the tools you have and stay connected to athletic staff, campus wellness services, and academic advisors to ensure a coordinated approach.

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
“Coaches play a key role in supporting an athlete’s mental health by creating a positive environment, showing empathy, and encouraging open communication. Daily, they can check in emotionally, promote balance, and reinforce the value of learning from mistakes.”}
_{- Liz Colliza, LPC, Director of Clinical Content}

Flexible academic and athletic scheduling

Offering appropriate flexibility around scheduling can reduce student stress and help athletes manage their mental health. This doesn’t necessarily mean special treatment or unfair advantages, but it can mean assessing each athlete’s needs so you can offer practical solutions to support the demands of their academic and athletic load.

Consider accommodations like:

• Extended deadlines
• Offering tutoring resources
• Reduced course loads during peak competitive seasons
• The option to reschedule practices when needed

Foster a supportive team environment

An inclusive team culture can be an added layer of protection against depression. The NCAA recommends structured mentor programs to help student-athletes find support from peers with similar experiences. The Layers of Care Model supports student-athletes who might feel more comfortable turning to a peer instead of a faculty member or their coach. Peer connections like this can create a sense of belonging when student-athletes need it most. 

A peer-to-peer structured mentor program might offer support through: 

• Peer support programs
• Mentorship initiatives
• Team-building activities   

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 ^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
“We’re all shaped by the people around us. In a team environment that’s flexible and supportive, athletes have the space to recover, learn from their mistakes, and grow. But in a rigid atmosphere with intense, unrelenting expectations, athletes are more likely to internalize pressure and push through challenges by sheer force, often at the expense of their well-being.”}_{- Liz Colliza, LPC, Director of Clinical Content}

Allow mental health days

Physical injuries need time and rest to heal, and mental health challenges often require the same. Allowing athletes to take mental health days without any penalty sends a powerful message that you consider their well-being a top priority.

Here are a few effective ways to help student-athletes make the most of student mental health days:

• Clearly communicate the importance of mental health days 
• Remind injured athletes that they need to take care of themselves and that mental health days are valid and encouraged
• Build days off into attendance policies (like sick days or injury recovery)
• Encourage athletes to come to you if they need a break (and make sure they feel comfortable doing so without fear of judgment)

Provide game-changing support for athlete mental health

Student-athletes must learn to manage performance expectations, handle injury recovery, navigate academic demands, and deal with social challenges, as these responsibilities substantially increase their risk of depression. Their struggles are further exacerbated by stigma and limited access to mental health resources.

Colleges and universities must prioritize mental health by integrating support into athletics and academics. Partnering with confidential, flexible platforms like Talkspace can ensure students have convenient access to professional mental health support so they can navigate challenges and build resilience.  

By partnering with Talkspace, you can empower athletes to seek help when, where, and how they need it, whether they’re on campus, traveling to a competition, or managing a busy academic schedule. Taking a proactive approach to mental health ensures athletes feel understood and supported so they can thrive on and off the field.

Ready to make a difference in your students’ lives? Request a demo to see how you can integrate Talkspace into your campus wellness program and provide game-changing support for collegiate student-athletes.

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Sources:

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1. Ace. 2024. “What Can Colleges and Universities Do to Support the Mental Health of Their Student-Athletes? - Higher Education Today.” Higher Education Today. February 12, 2024. https://www.higheredtoday.org/2023/11/03/what-can-colleges-and-universities-do-to-support-the-mental-health-of-their-student-athletes/. Accessed May 14, 2025.
2. Ellis, Alison, Angelina MacKewn, Laura Brown, Angelina Culley, and Ashley Bynum. 2025. “Tackling Mental Health: A Pre-Post Study of College Athletes&Amp;#8217;  Wellbeing.” Psychology 16 (02): 214–22. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2025.162013. Accessed May 14, 2025.
3. “How Sleep Deprivation Impacts Mental Health.” 2022. Columbia University Department of Psychiatry. March 16, 2022. https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/news/how-sleep-deprivation-affects-your-mental-health. Accessed May 14, 2025.
4. Masters, Amy. 2023. “Why College Athletes Struggle With Depression and Anxiety - iSport360.” iSport360. October 12, 2023.  https://isport360.com/why-college-athletes-struggle-with-depression-and-anxiety/. Accessed May 14, 2025.
5. Moore, Erin M., Maylasia A. Simmons, and Julianna Threatt. 2025. “Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use in Student-athletes: Prevalence and Impact.” Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 7 (March). https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1527793. Accessed May 14, 2025.
6. “Strategies for Effective Helping - Step UP! Program.” 2024. Step UP! Program. July 25, 2024. https://stepupprogram.org/facilitators/strategies-effective-helping. Accessed May 14, 2025.
7. Whelan, Bridget M, Stephanie A Kliethermes, Kelly A Schloredt, Ashwin Rao, Kimberly G Harmon, and Bradley J Petek. 2024. “Suicide in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes: A 20-year Analysis.” British Journal of Sports Medicine 58 (10): 531–37. These findings paint a troubling picture that highlights the immense pressures student-athletes face. From rigorous training and competitive demands to high academic expectations and constant scrutiny from coaches, fans, and media, the stakes are high. This is all while they’re expected to perform at peak levels, so the weight of it all can eventually take a toll. The pressure often leads to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.. Accessed May 14, 2025. 

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