We hear a lot about what coaches and organisations think about mental health in sport. But what about the athletes themselves \u2014 the young people at the centre of it all? As part of the MINDFit project, we spoke with two athletes, Elena and Paula Konopka, about their personal experiences with mental health, the pressures they face, and what kind of support they wish they had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For many young athletes, the mental side of sport is something they experience every day but rarely talk about. The pressure to perform, fear of disappointing coaches and teammates, and the constant comparison with others can take a heavy toll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both Elena and Paula described moments where mental challenges affected their performance more than any physical limitation. The weight of expectations \u2014 from coaches, parents, and themselves \u2014 can feel overwhelming, especially during critical moments like competitions or selection trials. As young athletes, they often feel they must project strength and confidence, even when they are struggling internally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most striking themes from the conversation was the feeling of isolation. Training environments are often focused entirely on physical progress \u2014 times, distances, scores \u2014 with little space for emotional check-ins. Athletes described feeling that their value was measured solely by their performance, which made it even harder to speak up when something was wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The culture of \u201cpush through it\u201d is deeply ingrained. Athletes learn early on that showing vulnerability can be seen as weakness, and that admitting to mental struggles might cost them their place on the team or their coach\u2019s confidence. This creates a cycle of silence where athletes suffer alone rather than risk being judged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked what kind of support would make a real difference, both athletes were clear: they don\u2019t need a psychologist sitting in the stands. What they need is a coach who notices, who asks, and who listens without judgement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Small gestures matter enormously. A coach who takes a moment after training to ask how someone is feeling. A team environment where it\u2019s normal to say \u201cI\u2019m not okay today.\u201d Resources that are designed for athletes \u2014 not generic mental health advice, but tools that address the specific situations they face: dealing with a bad match, coping with injury, managing the fear of failure, or handling conflicts within a team. That is unique approach that athletes mentioned as a crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both Elena and Paula emphasised that mental health support shouldn\u2019t just come from the top down. The team itself plays a crucial role. When teammates are open about their struggles, it normalises the conversation for everyone. When a player makes a mistake and the team rallies around them instead of criticising, it builds resilience far more effectively than any motivational speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They described how a supportive team culture can be transformative \u2014 turning a group of individuals into a unit that lifts each other up, both on and off the field. Conversely, a toxic environment where mistakes are punished and emotions are suppressed can drive young athletes away from sport altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there is one message that comes through clearly from these testimonials, it is this: athletes are ready to talk about mental health. They want to. What they need is permission \u2014 a signal from their coaches and their clubs that it is safe to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They don\u2019t expect coaches to have all the answers. They don\u2019t need a perfect system. What they need is authenticity \u2014 a coach who is willing to say, \u201cI\u2019m here if you need to talk,\u201d and who means it. Simple tools, short conversations, and a genuine interest in the whole person behind the athlete can go a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Projects like MINDFit are vital because they give athletes a voice in a conversation that has been dominated by institutions for too long. By listening to what young athletes actually experience and need, we can build better support systems \u2014 ones that are practical, accessible, and rooted in the reality of sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elena and Paula\u2019s willingness to share their experiences is a powerful reminder that behind every performance, every score, and every medal, there is a young person navigating the complex intersection of sport, identity, and mental well-being. Their stories deserve to be heard \u2014 and acted upon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We hear a lot about what coaches and organisations think about mental health in sport. But what about the athletes themselves \u2014 the young people at the centre of it all? As part of the MINDFit project, we spoke with two athletes, Elena and Paula Konopka, about their personal experiences with mental health, the pressures … <\/p>\n