Handling Athlete Mental Health Coverage: Why Sports Media Needs to Do Better

Things have changed in the sports world in the last few years when it comes to how we talk about athletes' mental health. A topic that was once almost slightly to talk about in locker rooms but not often in the news, has become one of the most significant conversations in sports media. We've seen world-class players freely put their mental health first, like Naomi Osaka pulling out of the French Open and Simone Biles taking a break during the Olympics. This media is intriguing, but it also brings up a tough question. How can the media cover the mental health of athletes in a responsible way without making personal problems into clickbait?

Athletes are constantly under a microscope. Every performance, Instagram Post, or tweet can become a viral headline within minutes. A lot of athletes feel suffocated by the pressure to be both physically and mentally unbeatable. When the media portrays mental health problems as "weakness," it supports negative stereotypes and makes other athletes, especially young ones, less likely to speak out. Coverage of sports should focus on making them seem like real people, not making their worst times seem shocking.

For instance, when Simone Biles talked about "the twisties" and emotional blocks she was having during the 2020 Olympics, some news sources said she wasn't being strong enough or that she was letting her country down. Others, on the other hand, praised her for being honest and saw her choice as a step forward for sports culture. Seeing the difference in coverage shows the issue about how the way we write about these events shapes the story, not just repeats it.

What you say matters. When headlines use words like "quit," "meltdown," or "breakdown" they feed into the sterotypes. But when words like "prioritized health," "stepped back," or "advocated for wellness" are used in the news, the tone changes from shame to power. Journalists have power in setting this tone, and their word choice can either open doors for discussion or shut them down.

The conversation has grown because of social media. No longer are established media outlets the only ones who cover athletes. Millions of people quickly judge them online. A tweet can reach millions of people in seconds, while an interview after the game might only reach a few thousand. That much publicity is hard to handle and can be mean. When social media stories get out of hand, people who work in the sports media should not add to them. Instead of trying to get retweets, news sources should use their platforms to check facts, put things in perspective, and tell people that sports are people first, performers second.

This responsibility is even more important for student writers who cover college sports. College athletes have to balance schoolwork, social life, and competitive sports, all while also hoping to get a scholarship and start a career in the future. Their mental health problems are often just as bad, but they don't get as much attention. As an example, student journalists can show empathy, do research, and remind readers that athletes are also students.

The talk about the mental health of athletes isn't going away; it's only getting bigger. What the sports media does about it will affect not only how people feel, but also how willing players at all levels are to talk about their problems. It's not only good news to write about mental health with care, truth, and humanity; it's also an important step toward changing sports culture for the better.