Athletes and Mental Health: The Hidden Opponent | Victoria Garrick | TEDxUSC

Summary

Victoria Garrick, a Division 1 volleyball player at USC, opens up about her struggles with mental health, specifically depression and anxiety, while balancing the pressures of being an elite athlete. She shares her experience of feeling overwhelmed by her rigorous schedule, the stigma around mental illness in sports, and the internal battle to perform despite mental exhaustion. Through her story, Victoria advocates for the normalization of mental health conversations in athletics, urging society to treat psychological injuries with the same seriousness as physical ones, and for athletes to seek support without fear of judgment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mental health struggles are common among athletes, but they are often overlooked or stigmatized within sports culture.
• 😀 Victoria Garrick, a USC volleyball player, shares her personal experiences of dealing with anxiety, depression, and the intense pressure of balancing academics, athletics, and social life.
• 😀 Athletes often face the pressure of being constantly 'on,' which can exacerbate mental health issues, as they feel the need to perform at a high level regardless of their emotional state.
• 😀 Mental illness is often seen as a weakness in the athletic world, where athletes are encouraged to push through physical pain but are expected to ignore psychological struggles.
• 😀 Mental health in athletes is under-researched, and the stigma prevents many athletes from seeking help or being open about their struggles.
• 😀 A lack of visibility around mental health in sports leads to a culture where athletes hide their issues, leading to greater emotional tolls and eventual burnout.
• 😀 Victoria's journey illustrates the disconnect between being physically fit and mentally healthy, as athletes often suffer silently with their mental health challenges.
• 😀 The NCAA and other sports organizations need to address the mental health crisis by providing better resources and support for athletes dealing with depression and anxiety.
• 😀 Despite her struggles, Victoria continued to play and excel in her sport, showing how athletes often feel trapped by their love for their sport and their fear of seeming weak or not dedicated enough.
• 😀 The culture of constant achievement and competition in sports contributes to athletes' feelings of inadequacy when they are struggling mentally, even though they may have everything 'on paper.'
• 😀 The presentation highlights the urgent need to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and create an environment where athletes can seek help without fear of judgment or consequences.

Q & A

What is the main issue Victoria Garrick addresses in her speech?

Victoria Garrick addresses the stigma surrounding mental health in athletes and the challenges she faced with anxiety and depression as a Division 1 volleyball player at USC.

How did Victoria get into the USC Volleyball team despite not being a top recruit?

Victoria was determined to join USC Volleyball. She emailed the coaches daily, called weekly, sent videos, and went for extra reps in high school. Eventually, USC offered her a walk-on spot, though they initially didn't think she'd play.

What kind of mental health struggles did Victoria face as a student-athlete?

Victoria faced severe anxiety and depression, which included overwhelming feelings of fear before games, constant worry about her athletic performance, and a lack of energy and motivation, despite being a starting player.

How did Victoria's schedule contribute to her mental health struggles?

Victoria's packed schedule, which included 16 units of classes, long practice hours, tutoring, exams, and travel for games, left her with little time to rest or manage her mental health, contributing to her anxiety and depression.

What was the moment Victoria realized she was battling depression?

Victoria realized she was battling depression when she felt a constant sense of dread every morning, had no energy, and felt detached from her usual bubbly and energetic self. Despite her success in volleyball, she felt empty and drained.

What was Victoria's initial reaction to being prescribed medication for her depression?

Victoria was initially resistant to taking antidepressants. She compared it to a serious relationship milestone, feeling hesitant about the commitment and the idea of medication to treat her condition.

How did the stigma surrounding mental health affect Victoria's willingness to seek help?

The stigma made Victoria hesitant to seek help, as she feared being seen as weak or unable to handle the demands of being an athlete. She even feared judgment for attending therapy or taking medication.

What cultural issue does Victoria highlight regarding the treatment of mental health in athletics?

Victoria highlights that the culture in athletics often promotes 'toughing it out' and pushing through pain, which makes it hard for athletes to acknowledge mental health struggles, as mental illness is often viewed as a sign of weakness.

What statistics does Victoria provide to show the prevalence of mental health issues in athletes?

Victoria references a 2015 NCAA survey, which found that 30% of athletes reported being overwhelmed with depression and anxiety, and that 69% of surveyed athletes had experienced symptoms of depression or anxiety. Additionally, more than half of athletes reported feeling too afraid to seek help.

How does Victoria's experience connect to the broader issue of mental health awareness in society?

Victoria's experience connects to the broader issue by illustrating how mental health issues are often overlooked in athletics, paralleling how concussions were treated in the past. She calls for more awareness and support for athletes dealing with mental health, emphasizing that mental health should be treated with the same seriousness as physical injuries.