Talking With Your Student Athlete About Mental Health

Kids who play sports often wholeheartedly devote themselves to the game. When they join a team, they discover what it means to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They learn new skills, then work to improve throughout the season.

If your child is a student athlete, it’s important to their mental health that you’re cheering them on. It’s just as crucial to talk to them regularly about how their chosen sport fits into their life and makes them feel. Consistently making time for conversation lets your child share their successes and frustrations, helping them feel valued and understood.

By having open-ended, positive conversations with your student athlete, you may help them process their emotions relating to the game. When you listen to their proud moments and their worries without judgment, it can build trust in your relationship. That makes it more likely that they’ll talk about injuries or admit when they’re feeling stressed.

You can chat with your student athlete anytime, but a natural time to talk is in the car, driving to or from games and practices. Car rides lend themselves to conversation, and your child may prefer talking about feelings when they don’t have to make eye contact.

If you’d like to talk about your child’s sport but don’t know where to start, download our conversation starters (below) or try these ideas:

• Ask what your child’s sport means to them. Discuss why they like playing their sport and what it adds to their life. Remind them that they’re taking on new challenges, learning to be a team player and having fun. Find out if they enjoy learning new skills, staying physically active and becoming disciplined through practice. Talking about the significance of their participation may help your child realize why they’re devoting so much time to their sport.
• Find the right balance between school and sports. Student athletes sometimes feel pulled in too many directions, so it’s important to have conversations about their schedules and habits. Helping your child establish good habits early on makes it easier to maintain the routine all season long. Set aside time for homework before or after practice. Offer nutritious meals and snacks to help them perform at their best. Establish screen-time limits, so your child has tech-free downtime before bed. Help them honor a consistent bedtime and awaken at a reasonable hour on weekends.
• See if your child is engaged. Have regular check-in conversations. Are they still enjoying their sport? Do they feel overwhelmed by expectations from coaches or teammates? Do they feel pressure from emotionally invested family members? Regular chats should reveal whether your child is simply having a bad day or needs to step back.

When to Be Concerned

Sports-related stress may be a part of the game. But you’ll want to ask questions and be prepared to take action if your child’s athletic performance changes and they seem to be struggling with school or their mental health. If you see your student athlete’s attitude or behavior change over time, or if their on-field performance consistently declines, check in with them. They may be experiencing a mental health issue or burnout. Have honest conversations to see how you might address stressors together. If necessary, involve your child’s coach, athletic trainers or a mental health therapist.

Being part of a team is a great experience for many children. Exercise is great for both mental and physical health. Many student athletes count their time on the field, track or court as some of their favorite childhood experiences. By talking with them regularly, you can stay engaged with them and help them process their feelings whether they are having a great sports season or a challenging one.