Rae Alexander - NCAA DIII Dual Sport Athlete

As a student athlete, mental health is something I have consistently struggled with. Student athletes are held to an extremely high standard, and at times those expectations can feel utterly impossible to meet, especially when you are battling with your own mind. During high school, I dealt with both depression and anxiety, and I often felt like I wasn’t good enough. These mental health problems affected my performance and attitude within all of my sports; I wasn’t playing my best or being the best teammate I could be. Eventually, although challenging, I spoke up to my parents about how I was feeling, and they helped me get the support I needed. I was able to speak with a therapist, who helped me find what coping tools worked for me. Ultimately, it was getting help that allowed me to get out of the headspace I was in and function better as a person, player, and teammate. My number one piece of advice to anyone who may be struggling is not to be afraid to speak up. Reach out to your loved ones or someone you trust. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. You are not alone, and getting help is something to be proud of.