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Kliegman is from Queens, New York. She is a writer and an editor who wrote Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes. Her book was published on March 5th, 2024, meaning all her information is recent and relevant.

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Julie Kliegman is a writer and editor in Queens, New York. She wrote Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes.

Her work has appeared in outlets including Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, Bookforum, Slate, The Ringer, BuzzFeed News, Vulture, The Verge, and Washington Monthly. Talk to her about The SpongeBob Musical. Subscribe below to her (infrequent) newsletter, Mental Notes. Photograph by Nina Subin.

About Mind Game

Order signed copies from Astoria Bookshop. You can also buy from Bookshop.org, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, you name it. The cover illustration is by Davide Barco.

In growing numbers, athletes are speaking up about their struggles with mental illness-including high-profile stars such as Michael Phelps, Kevin Love, Simone Biles, and Naomi Osaka. More disclosures are surely on the way, as athletes recognize that their openness can help others and inspire those around them.

In Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes, Julie Kliegman offers insight into how elite athletes navigate mental performance and mental illness-and what non-athletes can learn from them. She explores the recent mental health movement in sports, the history and practice of sport psychology, the stereotypes and stigmas that lead athletes to keep their troubles to themselves, and the ways in which injury and retirement can throw wrenches in their mental states. Kliegman also examines the impacts of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use, and more, with a keen eye toward moving forward with acceptance, progress, and problem-solving.

Featuring insightful interviews with Olympians Chloe Kim, McKayla Maroney, and Adam Rippon, NBA players Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan, former U.S. Open tennis champ Bianca Andreescu, and many other athletes and experts, Mind Game breaks down the ongoing, heartening movement of athletes across sports coming forward to get the care they need and deserve-and to help others feel safe opening up about their struggles, as well. Read an excerpt on Sports Illustrated's website.

Praise for Mind Game

"At a time when sports have (finally) come to appreciate the importance of mental health and clarity, here comes Julie Kliegman with an extraordinary examination of the topic. Thorough, empathetic, and relevant, Mind Game helps us understand elite athletes-while packing practical applications that extend way beyond sports." -L. Jon Wertheim, New York Times bestselling author of This Is Your Brain on Sports

"Julie Kliegman's Mind Game is a vulnerable, visceral, and essential volume examining how elite athletes handle mental health and mental illness. Kliegman writes with biting clarity that is at times funny and at others devastating. This book is a fearless look at a topic that is at once ubiquitous while also completely ignored. Absolutely essential reading." -Katie Barnes, author of Fair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debates

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Julie Kliegman is a writer and editor in Queens, New York. She wrote Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes . Her work has appeared in outlets including Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, Bookforum, Slate, The Ringer, BuzzFeed News, Vulture, The Verge, and Washington Monthly.

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Both this article and Mind Game emphasize the importance of having reliable resources on college campuses as well as a supportive team culture. The article states, “USC’s sports psychology department found that many first-year students had anxiety and stress due to performance expectations and scholarships.” Especially for freshmen, sports, and school can be very overwhelming, and without addressing the issue, things may only worsen. Coaches also hold a high position in their athlete's mental health, “Coaches who prioritize mental health recognize that it’s not just the athlete’s physical abilities that contribute to their success, but also their mental state.” Coaches need to make their athletes aware of their resources, be supportive, willing to talk and keep communication open. This way everyone can stay on the same page and feel comfortable discussing any issues. Gaining this knowledge has proven to be beneficial for athletes. Kliegman explains, “Mental health care available for collegiate athletes… has improved drastically in recent years… by the early 2020s… every Power 5 school had at least one mental health clinician in house - if not two, three or four,” (118, 122).

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College Athletics and Mental Health: Helping Student-Athletes Strike a Balance

College athletes face numerous challenges when it comes to balancing their athletic commitments and mental health. The pressure to perform at a high level, the demands of rigorous training schedules, academic responsibilities, and the expectations placed on them by coaches and teammates can all take a toll on their mental health.

This article explores the importance of utilizing resources to help student-athletes maintain balance. Plus, we discuss the role coaches and university leaders play in ensuring players' well-being.

Tensions Between Mental Health & College Athletics

Maintaining mental health while participating in college athletics is often challenging. Student-athletes face long training hours, grueling competition schedules, and the pressure to perform at all times. These factors can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even burnout. In 2021, the NCAA conducted a study that found that 24% of male and 36% of female athletes "felt so depressed that it was difficult to function." These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive mental health support for student-athletes.

Additionally, financial stress can have a profound impact on college athletes, often diverting their focus away from academics and athletics. Many students receive scholarships that are contingent upon their involvement with university athletics. If their performance slips on the field, the financial backing behind their education can also become at risk.

This immense pressure becomes even more challenging when athletes worry about covering basic expenses like tuition, housing, and meals. Moreover, the pressure to perform at a high level to secure future professional opportunities can intensify when athletes feel the burden of financial instability, potentially leading to mental health issues and reduced athletic performance.

It's important for student-athletes to recognize their own limits and listen to their bodies and minds. Taking breaks when needed, practicing self-care, and seeking support from resources available to them are essential steps in maintaining good mental health. Universities can also play a significant role in raising awareness about these challenges and educating athletes on all aspects of personal wellness.

Leveraging Student-Athlete Support Resources

Student-athletes have a unique set of needs regarding mental health support. Many universities recognize this and have established resources specifically designed to assist athletes.

For example, most colleges offer counseling services that provide confidential support to student-athletes struggling with various mental health issues. Some colleges even have sports psychologists dedicated to helping their student-athletes. USC's sports psychology department found that many first-year students had anxiety and stress due to performance expectations and scholarships. This emphasizes the importance of colleges offering services that can help student-athletes manage their mental health challenges.

In addition to counseling services, some universities have implemented programs that focus on promoting mental well-being among student-athletes. These programs often include workshops, seminars, and training sessions that teach athletes strategies for managing stress and building resilience.

Through counseling services, programs, and partnerships, universities are equipping student-athletes with the necessary tools to manage stress, build resilience, and maintain overall well-being. By prioritizing mental health, universities are not only helping student-athletes succeed in their athletic pursuits but also preparing them for a healthy and fulfilling future.

Creating a Supportive Community for Student-Athletes

Developing a supportive community for student-athletes can greatly contribute to their mental well-being. This can be achieved by establishing peer support programs where older athletes mentor and support younger teammates. Peer support programs provide a valuable outlet for student-athletes, allowing them to seek guidance from someone who understands their unique experiences. According to nDUR for Athletes, "Over 80% of student-athletes turn to their peers or family members FIRST for mental health support, not adult therapists or counselors." Therefore, the impact that peers and family can make on student-athletes mental health should not be overlooked.

Furthermore, universities can promote inclusivity and acceptance within their athletic programs. By celebrating diversity and embracing individuals from all backgrounds, institutions can create an environment where student-athletes feel valued and supported. This sense of belonging is crucial for student-athlete mental health.

The Role Coaches Play

Coaches play a crucial role in the mental health of student-athletes. They are not only responsible for helping athletes develop their skills but also for creating a supportive and inclusive team culture. Coaches who prioritize mental health recognize that it's not just the athlete's physical abilities that contribute to their success, but also their mental state.

One way coaches can support their athletes is by fostering open communication. Encouraging athletes to share their concerns, fears, and struggles can help create a safe space for them to seek guidance and support. Furthermore, coaches can also make an effort to understand the challenges their athletes face and provide appropriate resources or referrals when needed.

Coaches can also facilitate open communication by organizing team-building activities that encourage athletes to get to know one another on a deeper level. These activities can cultivate trust and create a sense of camaraderie among team members. Additionally, mental health awareness campaigns can be implemented to educate athletes about the importance of seeking help and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Key Takeaways

Stress and pressure are inherent parts of being a student-athlete. While some levels of stress can be motivating, excessive and chronic stress can have detrimental effects on mental health. It's essential to acknowledge and address these challenges to help student-athletes thrive both academically and athletically.

By implementing strategies such as time management skills training, stress reduction techniques, and mindfulness practices, universities can assist student-athletes in better-managing stress and pressure.

In conclusion, maintaining a balance between college athletics and mental health is crucial for the well-being of student-athletes.

Colleges can support student-athlete mental well-being by:

Emphasizing the resources available to them

Promoting open communication

Creating a supportive community

Understanding the challenges they face

Addressing the impact of stress

Ensuring meaningful support from coaches

See what Medicat can do to help promote mental health among your students.

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College Athletics and Mental Health | Medicat

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Student athletes face challenges with their athletic commitments & mental health. We explore resources to help student-athletes maintain balance.

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The Metamorphosis connects to Mind Game more indirectly. In The Metamorphosis, the main character, Gregor Samsa, is experiencing an extreme mental illness. He wakes up one morning feeling nothing like himself and, ultimately, as if he turned into a bug. Gregor stops going to work and no longer leaves his room. This type of transformation represents the way mental illnesses can get into your head. It can convince you that you are something you aren’t and can't do the things you’re used to doing. For athletes, it can be the same. Playing the sport you’ve been playing for your entire life but with the added stress and pressures from school, friends, and the sport in general, it can be challenging to stay healthy mentally. This can lead to questioning yourself and your abilities.

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How Can You Say It's Just A Game? By Samuel Ward

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How Can You Say It's Just A Game? By Samuel Ward

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The author takes a different approach to viewing sports. Ward emphasizes that sports can be more important to people than you think, “When it can be one’s passion and drive, This thing you call just a game, Has shaped and changed so many lives”. Many who play sports have been playing since they were young, meaning it’s been a constant in their lives for a very long time. Their love and drive for the game have taught them how to succeed and be willing to fail without giving up. For college athletes, it’s important to remember everything your sport has given you when times get hard. Remember the little kid in you who would be so proud of how far you’ve come and who you’ve become.

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© Samuel Ward

Published by Family Friend Poems May 1, 2023 with permission of the Author.

How can you say it's just a game
When I've been pushed all my life to reach goals
Told to work harder than my opponent
All along being shaped and molded

How can you say it's just a game
When I've given blood, sweat, and tears
Learned so many valuable lessons
Like developing a work ethic and conquering my fears

How can you say it's just a game
When I've developed relationships that will last a lifetime
Learned about self-discipline
And how toughness is really defined

How can you say it's just a game
When it can bring all ethnic races together
Working as one unit
While pushing each other to get better

How can you say it's just a game
When winning and losing can determine how one feels
Teams jerseys and colors can be seen everywhere
And fans come to support from far and near

How can you say it's just a game
When it turns so many into leaders
As well as helping to develop integrity and discipline
And puts more attention on education and being a better reader

How can you say it's just a game
When coaches have to answer to alumni and bosses
To them it's not just a game
Because their fate is determined by wins and losses

How can you say it's just a game
Teams sit in the locker room and cry at the end of the season
I guess you wouldn't understand
Comradery would be the reason

How can you say it's just a game
When it can be one's passion and drive
This thing you call just a game
Has shaped and changed so many lives

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I want to show that sports are not just games, because they contribute to many aspects of our lives.

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Bethany Hamilton can finally return to surfing after the shark attack. She is given a head start but chooses not to take it. Her biggest competitor is also in the competition and continues to beat her to waves. She gets angrier and angrier out at sea until Hamilton ends up in an impact zone and has to be taken out of the competition by a jet ski. Once back on land, she is extremely frustrated with herself. Although there were many other factors to her defeat, she got into her head which took her out of the competition. She went back home and continued to practice and practice which led her to be the successful surfer we all know today. She used her family and friends as a support system who also helped her practice and evaluate her surfing. Like many other athletes, Hamilton got in her head and took herself out of her game. By using her support system, she was able to escape her thoughts and be a prime example of how others can help when we are struggling. She finds her confidence and proves she can still surf the same as she did before.

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Soul Surfer #6 Movie CLIP - She Will Never Be the Same (2011) HD

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The author is experiencing the same mental health problems that many other athletes experience. Our minds convince us that we aren't good enough. They make us think that there is always more to be done. We are constantly comparing ourselves to others. Wishing we could be like them for even a second. Most of these types of feelings have to do with confidence. When athletes are confident in themselves, they don't second-guess their decisions or worry about how they appear compared to others. It's also important to not dwell on mistakes. As stated in the poem “Because that would mean I didn’t make a single mistake, I didn’t fumble once, I didn’t lose my player, I had crisp, hard shots, I made smart, fast plays, But I always mess something up. Always mess something up”, the writer is constantly thinking about what they did wrong. Having this mindset is only going to make the next play worse. Yes, it is important to acknowledge mistakes and what could have been done differently for the next time, but they can’t be a persistent thought.

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This image depicts a woman who may be a counselor with three athletes surrounding her. Many objects are flying around including a volleyball, basketball, football, baseball bat, and a soccer ball. There also is a very strong wind which is pulling the athletes into the black hole as well. The dark hole everything is being pulled into is representative of how people with mental health problems can feel. As said by Chamique Holdsclaw in Mind Game, “I felt I had no control, and it was a constant struggle” (62). She didn’t think she could control any of her thoughts or emotions. This can feel as if you have to continue to go down in a spiral which is exactly what the black hole looks like. The athletes are using their counselor to keep them out of the dark place that their brains are trying to bring them. This image also shows of how many college athletes would have the same counselor. Although there has been great progress, not everyone is going to be lucky enough to have their own.