No one is immune to mental illness, including professional athletes. Based off results from my dissertation research and what I see in my private practice, it appears as though there is a definite lack of support for athletes who struggle with mental health issues. Even though the NFL recently
announced that they are requiring each team to hire a mental health professional, this is definitely progress but there is still a long way to go to provide athletes with adequate support.
I feel as though a part of my job as a sport psychologist is to educate people about sport psychology services not only to enhance performance but also to help athletes who may have a clinical diagnosis such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc., and services that are available specifically for athletes who may need the support.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, if you, or someone you know, could use some support and if I cannot help you, I can give you resources that can help because I tell all my clients, athletes, and non-athletes, that mental health is just as important as physical health and vice versa.