Leadership Starts with Care: Recognizing Mental Health Needs in High School Sports

Coaches wear many hats—strategist, motivator, mentor, and sometimes, the trusted adult who sees what no one else does. High school sports bring tremendous opportunities for growth, but they also carry significant pressure. Student-athletes are navigating a unique set of challenges: academic demands, social pressures, college aspirations, and personal struggles, all on top of the physical and emotional toll of competition.

For many athletes, their coach is the person they interact with most outside of their family. This makes coaches a vital part of their support system, especially when it comes to recognizing and responding to mental health challenges. But here’s the truth: most mental health struggles don’t look obvious. They’re not as simple as an injury or a sprained ankle. That’s why leadership in sports must start with care.

As a coach, you can be the difference-maker in an athlete’s life. Here are three essential tools to help you lead with care and foster a safe, thriving environment for your athletes:

1. Learn to Spot the Signs

Mental health challenges rarely announce themselves. But as a coach, you can learn to spot the small, often subtle signs that an athlete is struggling. It’s not about being a mental health professional—it’s about noticing shifts in behavior or performance that don’t fit their usual patterns.

Watch for:

• Performance changes: A sudden drop in energy, motivation, or focus during practices and games.
• Mood shifts: Increased irritability, mood swings, or visible frustration that weren’t there before.
• Withdrawal: An athlete who becomes unusually quiet, avoids team activities, or isolates themselves from their peers.
• Physical complaints: Frequent headaches, stomach issues, or unexplained fatigue may signal emotional distress.
• Overtraining behaviors: An athlete who pushes themselves excessively, often to their own detriment, may be trying to cope with underlying anxiety or stress.

Real-life example:

A high school basketball player who was once the team’s motivator started skipping practices and stopped interacting with teammates. While it might be tempting to label this as a lack of commitment, the coach checked in and learned that the athlete was struggling with family issues and feeling overwhelmed by academics. That small moment of care opened the door for support.

2. Open the Door for Conversations

One of the most powerful tools a coach has is the ability to create a safe space where athletes feel seen and heard. For many young athletes, their coach is the adult they trust most. But starting those conversations can be tricky—especially when the subject is mental health.

How to start the conversation:

• Normalize mental health: Openly talk about the importance of mental well-being during team meetings, just as you would physical conditioning. Share stories or statistics to show that everyone—athletes included—faces mental health challenges at some point.
• Ask open-ended questions: Replace “Are you okay?” with “What’s been going on for you lately?” or “I’ve noticed you seem quieter than usual. How are things going?” This invites a deeper response.
• Be an active listener: When an athlete opens up, give them your full attention. Avoid interrupting, minimize distractions, and let them know their feelings are valid.

Example:

A soccer coach shared their own experience of struggling with stress in college and how they sought help. That vulnerability not only humanized the coach but also made athletes more comfortable discussing their own struggles.

3. Build a Culture of Care

Creating a team culture where mental health is prioritized takes intentional effort. It’s not just about reacting to problems—it’s about proactively fostering an environment where athletes feel safe to be themselves, ask for help, and take care of their well-being.

Ways to build a culture of care:

1. Develop a mental health “playbook”: Share practical tools for managing stress, anxiety, and pressure, like breathing exercises, mindfulness apps, or journaling. Make these resources as accessible as a strength-training plan.
2. Encourage peer support: Pair younger athletes with more experienced team members who can act as mentors. Peer relationships can be powerful in reducing feelings of isolation.
3. Model self-care: Coaches set the tone. When you demonstrate work-life balance, self-care, and healthy emotional habits, athletes see that prioritizing mental health is not a weakness.
4. Connect to resources: Know the support systems available at your school or in the community. Keep a list of counselors, helplines, or therapists and share it during preseason or parent meetings.

Pro Tip:

Work with your athletic department to organize mental health workshops for athletes, parents, and coaches. Sessions led by mental health professionals can demystify the topic and provide practical strategies for everyone involved.

Why This Matters

Coaching isn’t just about the game; it’s about shaping young people into resilient, confident individuals who are equipped for life’s challenges. When you lead with care, you help athletes realize that their value isn’t tied solely to their performance on the field.

Remember: mental health challenges don’t discriminate. They affect athletes across every sport, every school, and every background. Recognizing the signs, creating space for conversations, and fostering a culture of care can change lives—not just during their high school years, but for the rest of their journey.

A Final Thought

Every coach wants their athletes to succeed, but success doesn’t just mean championships and trophies. It means helping young people thrive on and off the field. Leadership starts with care, and in high school sports, there is no greater legacy than being the coach who truly made a difference.

What strategies have you used to support your athletes’ mental health?

Share your thoughts, and let’s continue to learn from each other in the comments below.

Contact us at www.onrise.care or call us at 865-288-8970 for more information.