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How Athletic Trainers Can Support Athletes’ Mental Health
It’s becoming more and more common to talk about mental health in sports. The world is slowly realizing that depression and anxiety can affect anybody, including our top athletes, whether it’s Simone Biles withdrawing from the Olympics or Michael Phelps talking about his depression. What role do athletic trainers play in mental health? When an athletic trainer has a concern about a patient, what can they do?
Everyone has a body, mind, and spirit. Athletic trainers can’t treat their patients’ bodies without considering their minds and spirits. This is why NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) has always been focused on complete patient care.
What role does mental health play in athletic performance?
Sports performance is greatly influenced by mental models and patterns of thinking. This can manifest in many ways. An athlete’s racing thoughts can affect their sleep, rest, and recovery. Images can inspire athletes or drag them down into negative spirals. An athlete’s relationships, confidence, and performance can be negatively affected by destructive thinking patterns.
