Overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, worried about academics and burdened by high expectations.
These emotions are just some of the difficulties many athletes and the NCAA have said are consistently challenging many student-athletes. With this reality, schools have started providing more support for athletes in recent years.
This year, NCAA athlete’s mental health concerns are down in every category compared to 2020 and 2021 surveys, according to the NCAA. Pepperdine has taken initiative to advocate for their student-athletes’ mental health by providing athletes with three sports psychologists and on-campus mental health advocacy group The Hidden Opponent, multiple members of Pepperdine athletics said.