Behind the jersey: the mental health reality of student-athletes
By Danijela Marcinkovic, February 20 2026—
Student-athletes on campus are easy to spot. They frequently rush from early morning practices to lectures, wear team gear across the quad and become the public face of the university on game days. On the outside, they look like they have lives structured around discipline, teamwork and success. Yet, behind the scenes, many student–athletes struggle quietly.
In a 2016 study conducted by the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that roughly 24 per cent of student-athletes met the criteria for major depressive disorder. Despite this, studies have shown that student-athletes are far less likely to seek mental health support than their non-athlete peers.
This raises the question as to whether universities are doing enough to support the mental health of students they celebrate the most.
The pressure to be mentally tough
In Mind Body and Sport it is stated that student-athletes are often conditioned to not let others know that they are struggling, and sometimes coaches fortify this behaviour as a way to build character and mental toughness in game situations.
“Mental toughness” is praised as a defining trait of successful competitors, but that mindset often leads to consequences that can be realized too late.
Within athletic culture, stress, anxiety and emotional exhaustion are frequently brushed off. Many student-athletes feel pressured to maintain an appearance of strength at all times, especially in front of coaches and teammates. Often, admitting mental health struggles feels risky.
“Student-athletes, coaches and staff tend to minimize mental disorders or psychological distress because of the expectations of strength, stability and “mental toughness” inherent in the sports culture. As a result, student-athletes often avoid disclosing a mental health concern, especially if the perceived negative consequence includes being rejected by teammates or coaches due to the disclosure,” stated “The Psychologist Perspective” in Mind Body and Sport.
Additionally, The British Journal of Sports Medicine noted that “athletes may be at greater risk for mental health issues in that they are less likely to seek treatment, may be afraid to reveal symptoms, may see seeking counselling as a sign of weakness, are accustomed to working through pain, may have a sense of entitlement and never had to struggle and/or may not have developed healthy coping mechanisms to deal with failure.”
The recent case of the Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark’s leave of absence sheds light on the importance of mental health awareness in sports.
Ullmark had not played since Dec. 27 and, in a recent interview, he revealed his reasoning for his leave.
“The real reason is mental health,” Ullmark stated. “It comes a time, and you never know when the cup starts to overflow.”
A high-profile athlete opening up about their mental health struggles could potentially have a positive impact on student-athletes, encouraging them to seek assistance when needed.
When sport becomes identity
For many student-athletes, their sport and identity often become intertwined. Years of training, competition and sacrifice heavily shape their daily routines and sense of self. While this mindset is a powerful motivator when it comes to being a student-athlete, it can be limiting when it becomes the only identity they have.
“The neglect or atrophy of other roles as a consequence of the ascendancy of a single role may expose the individual to subsequent identity issues,” stated the Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
With this in mind, when an athlete comes face-to-face with an injury that puts them out of the game, it is likely they will not know how to cope with this sudden loss of identity.
“Many athletes have not developed their identity outside of that as an athlete and therefore if this role is threatened by injury or illness, they may experience a significant ‘loss’,” stated the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
This problem of separating one’s sport with one’s identity becomes even more apparent when college athletics comes to an end, and individuals are left uncertain with the path in which their life is heading.
“Most athletes don’t think about the fact that they’ll be ex-athletes much longer than they’ll be current athletes,” stated the Mind Body and Sport.
Many student-athletes do not think about life after sport until it arrives. Injury, deselection and graduation can abruptly end a student-athletes career that had defined them for the majority of their lives. Without adequate preparation, that loss can leave individuals feeling lost, lonely or even depressed.
With this in mind, many student-athletes who leave their sport are losing who they are.
The importance of sports psychologists in universities
Many universities have a sports psychologist available to student-athletes in need of support, but what exactly is a sports psychologist?
According to the International Journal of Yoga, Physiotherapy and Physical Education, “sport psychology is an interdisciplinary science that draws on knowledge from the fields of Kinesiology and Psychology. It involves the study of how psychological factors affect performance and how participation in sport and exercise affect psychological and physical factors.”
Sports psychologists have a range of ways in which they can support athletes.
A Practical Guide to Sports Psychology: Play Stronger, Better, Happier states that sports psychologists help improve sport performance, manage anxiety, improve sport experience, aid in rehabilitation and develop strategies for improving exercise adherence and enjoyment.
One of the most important aspects of athlete mental health, and often overlooked, is the preparation of life after sport. For many student-athletes, university marks the end of competitive athletics. Without guidance, this transition can leave individuals feeling lost and unsure of what is to come next.
Sports psychologists at universities play a significant role in assisting athletes with the transition from university athletics.
“Recent research showed athletic administrators were willing to hire sport psychology professionals to aide collegiate athletes enhance on-field performance, as well as career and personal development,” stated the Journal of Sport and Health Science.
Changing campus culture
Improving mental health support for student-athletes is not just about adding services, it is about changing an existing culture.
It means creating environments where athletes feel safe to admit that they are struggling, and recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical health. It also showcasing the need for understanding that pressures athletes face do not disappear once university athletics ends.
Student-athletes give a lot to universities, and supporting their well-being is paramount.
Student-athletes are not just athletes, they are students. Students that need as much support as the next.
Student-athletes at the University of Calgary in need of mental health support are encouraged to contact Student Wellness Services, their athletics department or their respective sports psychologist.