The Impact of Mental Health Stigma on Help-Seeking Behaviors in Athletes
In this evidence-based synthesis paper, I reviewed findings from 17 empirical studies. These studies were published from 2020 to 2025, addressing the impact of mental health stigma on help-seeking behaviors in college athletes worldwide. The culture of physical and mental toughness in sports can create a stigma around mental illness, acting as a barrier to help-seeking behavior and possibly leading to negative long-term psychological outcomes for athletes. There are many psychological challenges that exist, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), eating disorders (ED), and suicidal ideations (SD). While focusing on those psychological challenges, I reviewed primary barriers to help-seeking, effective interventions, and facilitating factors in athletes. In recent years, the studies of mental health concerns have spiked in athletic environments. The primary concern is how to reduce the stigma around help-seeking and normalize treatment methods by hiring team counselors, changing the social and team dynamic, and leveraging support roles in trainers and coaches. There may be a disconnect between available services and athlete access or utilization related to the narrative of mental toughness. Future research should address the stigma that exists and validate solutions and interventions that work for each sport and athlete.
PSY 499, Senior Capstone
Erin Mueller
Goodrich 209
11:30 AM – Noon