Submitted by: Submitted by hannahvurgas
Views: 10
Words: 737
Pages: 3
Category: Philosophy and Psychology
Date Submitted: 02/10/2016 07:40 AM
http://www.foxsports.com/other/story/madisonholleranncaastudentathletesmentalhealthissu
es032515
Mental health issues a huge challenge for NCAA in regard to studentathletes
In this article, mental illnesses such as depression, eating disorders, and anxiety are linked to
the competitiveness and work filled aspects of the sports world. It is concluded that women are
twice as more likely than men to be susceptible to these mental illnesses, but so far, the NCAA
has not done really anything to provide resources for these problems among these young adults
suffering.
In January of 2014, the big buzz surrounded the story of Madison Holleran, a college freshman
who seemed to have the perfect career. Not only was she a committed and brilliant student with
a GPA of 4.0, but she was an outstanding track athlete for the University of Pennsylvania. She
seemed to have everything going for her, but when the 19 year old jump off the top of a 9 story
parking garage, question were raised regarding her suicide. Being the great track athlete, sister
and friend that she was, no one had any clue on how unhappy Holleran actually was.
Unfortunately, Holleran is not the only student athlete or athlete for that matter to commit suicide
or suffer from any mental health issues. According to a recent study, the majority of women
athletes actually compared their sport to eating disorders, saying that the requirements and
pressure of women athletes to stay in shape is high, and depending on which sport, may be
toxic to their self confidence. The matter of the fact is, is that athletes in general are pressured
and forced everyday into routines, practices, and harassment of the sports world to stay fit and
be the best. That along with the pressure to do well in school make for a deadly combination.
Most athletes don’t want to admit that there’s a problem until it’s too late, such as in Holleran’s ...