Happy 1st of May! May is important because it is Mental Health Awareness Month.
This marks a time to raise awareness and educate individuals about the importance of mental health. This year, the National Alliance of Mental Illness is celebrating with the #MoreThanEnough campaign, emphasizing the importance that each of us holds. No matter what, each one of us is enough!
In sports, mental health is an increasingly important topic of conversation. As we’ve seen time and time again, from the professional to collegiate to youth levels, the pressure to perform at a high level can take a real toll, both physically and mentally.
In particular, women and girls in soccer face unique challenges that can impact their mental health. Studies have shown that female athletes are at a higher risk for depression and anxiety than their male counterparts. They may also experience body image issues, which can lead to eating disorders and other mental health concerns. Additionally, we’ve seen how female athletes may face discrimination, harassment, and sexism, which can all contribute to stress and anxiety.
By raising awareness and providing support, we can help ensure that women and girls in soccer have the tools they need to thrive both on and off the field. So let’s make mental health a priority in soccer and in all aspects of life!
We at Girls Soccer Network are huge proponents of mental health advocacy, so we’ve put together a collection of our top pieces surrounding mental health topics in girls’ soccer.
Profiles: Pressures of Social Media, Body Image, and More
Keeper in the Arena: Dealing with the Pressures of Social Media
GSN ambassador and goalkeeper Aubrey McLin writes about dealing with the pressures that come with using social media as an athlete and a teen growing up.
5 Teams Stepping Up for Their Players’ Mental Health
Back in 2022, we looked at a handful of teams that were stepping up for their players’ mental health. From professional to collegiate, these are the programs that all teams should emulate.
The Invisible Battle: Impacts of Type One Diabetes on Sports and Mentality
Athletic Shape: What Does It Mean To Look Like an Athlete?
Aubrey McLin describes her journey with body image and confidence being a goalkeeper.
HoodSpace Chi: Sarah Gorden’s Mental Health Nonprofit for Girls of Color
Sarah Gorden just returned to soccer after being out with an ACL tear. She also founded a nonprofit, HoodSpace Chi, and works with the Black Women’s Players Collective to elevate Black and POC players in the game.
Current: Katie’s Save, Coping With Loss, and Sexism and Abuse in Soccer
Katie’s Save: Emerging From Tragedy to Become the Future of Mental Health Resources for Student Athletes
Following the loss of Stanford keeper Katie Meyer, who died by suicide, her family began Katie’s Save. Read about the initiative and what it could mean for collegiate athletes struggling with mental health.
Coping With Loss and Mental Health in Youth Soccer
Aubrey McLin writes about her journey through grief and coping with the loss of two former teammates and friends. She opens up about her own experiences with mental health struggles and provides insight into what it feels like to be a player growing up and facing these challenges.
The Impact of Mental Health Risks on Soccer Players
This article is a comprehensive look at the impact of mental health issues on soccer players. Where the pressures come from, the stigma around mental health in athletics, and more.
How Men Should Be Coaching Girl’s and Women’s Soccer
Story after story broke about abusive coaching in the NWSL in the past years. This article dives into how to recognize abusive coaching and how we can begin to reform coaching for girls’ and women’s soccer.
Lifestyle: Perfectionism, Mentality, Handling Criticism, and More
Why A Win-At-All Costs Mentality Can Be Detrimental To The Game of Soccer
Winning is important, but we look at how focusing on the outcome can be detrimental to your performance and your mentality surrounding the game.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Perfectionism
Many of us in this day and age self-identify as perfectionists. Our perfectionistic tendencies show up at school, at work, and home. But have you thought about how perfectionism might be holding you back on the soccer field?
Why Emotional Energy is Just as Important as Physical Energy in Soccer
Physical energy has been the primary focus on athletic performance, but here we recognize the importance of recharging emotionally and how it can come into play.
How To Build Your Identity Outside of Soccer
Part of taking care of your mental health is living a balanced life and seeking out different interests. Here we look into how to build your identity outside of soccer.
How to Handle Overly Critical Soccer Parents
Criticism is a part of the game we all love and in life. But it’s important to recognize when criticism is stepping over a line and how to deal with it.
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