Do sports improve student mental health? Research suggests that team sports are more supportive than individual ones. However, a recent article by the Washington Post indicates that high-profile sports promote violence. In addition, sports often discourage self-regard for injury. In the US, more athletic departments have created a position similar to Bennett’s. In January 2013, Dr Hainline, who previously focused on concussions, made mental health a top priority. He devoted additional resources to this important issue and formed a task force.
Team sports are more supportive than individual sports:
While the study found that team sports are generally better for mental health than individual sports, the reasons may not be the same for all kids. In general, kids who play team sports had better scores than their peers who didn’t play any sports at all. The reason may vary depending on the type of sport, but overall, team sports were better for student mental health than individual sports. In addition, there were fewer cases of depression among team sports participants.
According to the study, kids who played team sports were less likely to experience depression, social anxiety, and attention problems than their counterparts who played only individual sports. The researchers noted that the difference in mental health might be because the number of team sports participants was greater than the number of people who played individual sports. This study, however, does not prove that team sports are better for student mental health since the data is cross-sectional and therefore cannot prove causality.
High-profile sports promote violence:
The link between high-profile sports and violence in the community is complicated. Different forms of sport-related identity have other implications for problem behaviours. However, several studies have suggested that sports can lead to a rise in violent behaviour. Here are three reasons why. First, athletes who participate in high-profile sports are more likely to be physically aggressive. Students involved in sports can experience increased stress from various mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.
Male body-contact sports may compromise students’ mental health. They are also associated with a higher likelihood of violence and disincentives to self-regard for injuries. However, not all subcultures are equally enmeshed in masculine norms. Athletes who identified as “athletes” did not endorse conventional male means but agreed on a focus on winning.
Discouragement of self-regard for injuries:
Injuries occur in sports and are an unavoidable part of participation. While most sports injuries are manageable, some can impose a significant physical burden. The psychological response to a sports injury can unmask underlying mental health problems, including substance abuse or disordered eating. Identifying and addressing student athletes’ underlying mental health concerns should be a priority in athletic training.
While getting student-athletes to consider mental health treatment can be a challenge, there are also several advantages. Participating in school sports is associated with lower rates of obesity, mental illness, and suicide attempts. Additionally, student-athletes benefit from the social capital and community that sports can provide. And in addition to physical benefits, it fosters comradeship and friendships that can last a lifetime.
Increasing access to mental health services:
Increasing access to mental health services for athletes should be a high priority in educational institutions. Mental health education is particularly important for coaches and support staff. Research indicates that athletes do not often seek help when suffering from mental health issues, despite the prevalence of these issues in the community. Empowering them with the knowledge of what to do and what not to do can increase the likelihood that athletes will seek help for mental health problems.
Author Bio:
Miguel Gabriel is a research-based content writer. He has worked in various healthcare, technology, and finance industries. He is currently working as a writer in Research Prospect, famous for dissertation writing services and Report writing services. When Miguel is not writing or researching, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also loves travelling and learning about new cultures.
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