Editor’s Note (Sept. 17, 2024): This article was submitted by Onrise, which US Club Soccer has partnered with for ongoing educational resources related to mental health. The author, Emanuel McGirt Jr., is the Athlete Copywriter at Onrise. Emanuel is a former collegiate and professional athlete and a current NCAA staff member. He grew up playing football and continued his career at NC State and briefly in the Canadian Football League (CFL). US Club Soccer member coaches are encouraged to attend a monthly webinar and digital workshop series hosted by Onrise and US Club Soccer. For the latest schedule and topics, please visit the Mental Health web page.

Do you share? In the culture of sports, sharing with your teammates is quite normal. We share equipment, water bottles, technique advice, opportunities, and more. But feelings? That’s a rarer occurrence. Sharing emotions and being vulnerable is often difficult for athletes, because it feels like the antithesis of being strong and tough – qualities often deemed essential to excel as an athlete.

However, this is a false analysis. We need to move forward with the understanding that being open and sharing feelings is, in fact, a true show of strength. Keeping emotions bottled up in an attempt to portray an outdated version of toughness can become an identity crutch that threatens to undermine our humanity.

Coping strategies are important. Activities, such as yoga and volunteering, are effective mechanisms to improving mental health and overall well-being, but they require time and effort that are not always available.  Student-athletes’ lives are inundated with practice, classes, more practice, travel, homework … you know the drill. Schedules are packed and taking the time to consider and address your mental well-being can seem exhausting with so many commitments, but it must be a priority. 

The first step is to look within and affirm your thoughts and feelings. Acknowledge them; don’t push them away. Frustration, joy, confusion, gratefulness, anxiety, helplessness, pride, stress … they are all valid and part of life, and we benefit from talking about them.

Talking with someone you can confide in is an accessible coping mechanism. Sharing your feelings, thoughts, and fears may not come naturally at first – and that’s perfectly okay. Vulnerability looks different for everyone, as it comes instinctively to some, while for others, it might feel like pulling teeth. You may have to wait to schedule a yoga session or to find an opportunity to volunteer at an animal shelter, but a confidant can be just a call, text, or DM away. 

When we choose to open up and choose to not be consumed by our feelings and thoughts, we can find a sense of release and relief in that vulnerability. Dr. Brenda McBride explains the scientific reason why we feel this way: “Being vulnerable and opening up to someone can help regulate brain chemistry. When individuals share their emotions and connect with others, the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. This release can lead to a sense of relief and well-being. Over time, regular emotional sharing can help stabilize dopamine levels, enhancing mood regulation and emotional resilience.” There is science why you feel better after talking it out.

At Onrise, we pride ourselves on facilitating genuine connections between people with similar experiences. Connecting with an Athlete Mental Health Specialist may be just the opportunity you need to start opening up and showing strength through vulnerability. Whether it is an Athlete Mental Health Specialist, friend, family member, teammate, coach, spiritual leader, or mentor, it is important to find someone you can confide in. Make sure feelings are on the list of things you share.