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As the next college season approaches, Twin Cities' universities are intensifying efforts to address the mental health of student-athletes, recognizing the need for holistic well-being.
Institutions like the University of St. Thomas, Augsburg University, and Macalester College are implementing diverse strategies to support their athletes facing unique mental challenges associated with high-level competition and academic pressures.
Augsburg University, a NCAA Division III school, sees common issues like performance anxiety, particularly following injuries. Missy Strauch, the school's Athletic Trainer for 25 years, shared:
"Mostly, we see [athletes] are anxious about their return to play after any injury. Am I going to reinjure? Is it worth it?’ That just messes with their head so much because they know the pain that they’re going to go through, and how long it took them to recover."
Despite limited resources, Augsburg effectively supports its athletes through tools like mental health checklists and external partnerships, ensuring athletes have access to necessary mental health resources.
Similarly, Macalester College focuses on the mental strains of high expectations from academics and athletics.
Paula Natvig, assistant athletic director for student well-being, noted:
"They were also probably some of the best athletes in their [high] school, so all of them are coming here and expected to be the best of the best."
To combat this, Macalester employs sports psychologists and offers supportive measures for international students, providing a familial environment during holidays.
At the NCAA Division I level, the University of St. Thomas is addressing the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated isolation and social media dependence among athletes.
Deputy Athletic Director Jemal Griffin explained:
"The challenging thing about social media is that 18-to-22-year-olds rely on it for their moods, for their confirmations that they’re doing a good job."
The university has developed a comprehensive plan involving mental health specialists to support students' long-term well-being.
These Twin Cities colleges are pioneering in their commitment to student-athlete mental health, understanding that performance on the field is intrinsically linked to emotional and psychological support off it.
As the academic year begins, these efforts highlight the evolving approach to athlete care, emphasizing mental health as a critical component of athletic success.
Dive into the details on all their efforts in this article from the MinnPost!
