Mental health in athletics is a lot more important than one would think that it is. Think about it: Your brain does most of your bodily functions, and without it, your body would not know how to work on its own. The brain needs to be in tip-top shape to give your best performance and now is the best time to work on that.

Athletes have been labeled as being “mentally tough” for the longest time, but as I can say from firsthand experience, this is not always the case. While Mental Health Awareness Month has long passed, we should still make sure that we take care of ourselves and look out for our friends and family. 

We have all heard that exercise will improve your mental health. Some have a rote system that forces them to grow used to their sport. It can get kind of boring doing your sport every day, and you don’t feel the same benefits as you used to. But, if this is not you, then keep moving your body and going at your own pace. 

If this is you, remember that you are not alone. Many people are facing the same struggles as you are. You need to reach out. Overcoming the anxiety of seeking out a professional and letting them know your mental situation is the best thing that you can do. When talking to a coach or a teammate may not always help, and your family may not understand your situation, Fordham has professional help that you can turn to. Call 718-817-3825 to get in touch with Fordham’s Counseling and Psychological Services.

It angers me that problems such as these are just being addressed now. Why are we just now talking about and realizing the importance of our mental states? For so long, society has failed to address many of the issues people face daily concerning mental health. I have found that since the beginning of the century, we have begun to focus on addressing this issue in every way possible, and it is sad that we are only now speaking about this.

Still, it needs to be done, and it is great to see that Fordham is a part of this movement that normalizes speaking on mental health. We all go through difficulties sometimes, and no one should be ashamed of it.

The call to action starts now and with you. Everyone needs to be looked after. Make sure that you look out for each of your friends and have their backs in every situation.