Being a D1 athlete certainly has its benefits, however, when combined with pressure to perform well academically while managing a sports season, it can become a lot to handle.
There’s a lot that can be stress-inducing in the sports world: a difficult game, an upcoming championship or even the drawback of injury. Mental health resources should especially be available for student-athletes in the event of an injury, as it can be incredibly traumatic and lead to the depletion of their mental health.
An injury can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, anger and a lack of motivation to continue playing the sport that was once loved.