By Brooklyn Jones
Special to Niagara Frontier Publications
November 24, 2022, the family of the late #KatieMeyer, #Stanford #soccer star who passed away last spring, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against #StanfordUniversity. Claiming that the University sent her a disciplinary letter that the lawsuit claims contained “threatening language” causing her “to suffer an acute #stress reaction that impulsively led to her #suicide” stated #CNN.
The letter was in response to an incident in August 2021, where Meyer allegedly spilled coffee on a #Stanford football player who allegedly sexually assaulted one of her teammates.
The letter threatened Meyer’s potential removal from the university as well as implementing other sanctions including Meyer’s diploma being put on hold months shy of her graduation.
Meyer’s family reported that she was having much #anxiety leading up to the sending of the letter. #Stanford denies having any responsibility for Meyer’s death.
This is just the latest update in the story of #KatieMeyer, who’s death sparked much conversation around the country about #athletes and #mentalhealth.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
A Tragedy That Shook the Sports World
On March 1, 2022, #Stanford #soccer star #KatieMeyer was pronounced dead at the age of 22. A day later, her death was ruled a #suicide, shocking her family, teammates, campus, and the sports world.
“I don’t even think it’s hit us yet,” said Gina Meyer, mother of the late soccer star. “We’re still in shock. But we had no red flags” she tells “Today.”
Following Meyer’s death Alex Morgan of the USWNT tweeted that she was “Incredibly saddened to hear about Katie.” And that she was “Thinking about all her family, friends, and teammates, right now and hoping they are getting all the love they need and deserve.”
Meyer was a senior studying international relations and history, with aspirations to enter Stanford’s law #school. She was a member of Stanford’s 2019 National Championship winning team, making two key saves in the penalty shootout to help win the game. With much confidence and fire, Meyer’s performance and demeanor makes it hard to believe that she was having any sort of #mental struggles.
But this is the reality for many #collegeathletes. #Athletes are asked every day to give their best and show their best. They cannot afford to show what they are going through on their face, though their body language, or allow it to affect their play.
Many #athletes are facing issues both in and outside of their sport, many suffer from poor #mentalhealth or #mentalhealthissues that get overlooked. And most are told to suck it up and play through it all.
As well as Meyer; #student #athletes Sarah Shluze, Jayden Hill Robert Martin, and Lauren Bernett all passed away during the months of March and April due to #suicide.
Highlighting #mentalhealth as an issue within the sports world, especially #college #athletics.
“An #NCAA study found 30% of surveyed #athletes feeling extremely overwhelmed, with nearly 25% feeling mentally exhausted,” stated Thrine.com.
“A National #College Health Assessment reported about 31% of #male and 48% of #female #NCAA #studentathletes reported having #depression or #anxiety symptoms each year the test was issued in 2008 and 2012.”
These stats raise the question of why these #athletes may be struggling with their #mentalhealth? There are many factors.
#Athletes Are Affected by Day-to-Day Stressors
The typical day for a #studentathlete is usually extremely demanding. These days can include:
? An early wake-up for workouts or lift (as early as 5-6 a.m.)
? Classes throughout the day
? Mandatory study hall
? Practices
? Film
? Taking time to properly eat and fuel
? Receiving treatment for any injuries
? Etc.
Balancing all of this can be a lot. Potentially effecting #mentalhealth.
#Studentathletes Sydney F., Allyson K., and Arianna J. were asked about their experience with #athletics and its effect on their #mentalhealth.
Issues they discussed include:
? The extreme demand of being an #athlete
? Pressure to perform in their sport and in the classroom
? The effect coaching has on #mentalhealth
? The #stigma surrounding #athletes and their #mentalHealth
Demanding Schedule Can Cause #Stress
“I have become much more anxious. I have always been prone to #anxiety but with our schedules and #college #academics I get overwhelmed a lot easier” said Allyson K., a junior forward at a university.
Pressure to Perform
Many #athletes also struggle with the pressure put on them to perform well in their sport.
“I believe that playing a #college #sport has made me dependent on how well the season is going for me. This includes how the coach feels about the season, wins and losses, and a little bit of my own performance as well. If those things are good, so is my #mental. But if those things are not good, my #mentalhealth is impacted rather strongly” Allyson K. said.
Coaching Style and Its Effects
Coaching style can also have an impact on an #athlete’s #mentalhealth. Pressure to perform often comes from a player’s coaches.
“Sometimes coaches can have an impact on my #mentalhealth, I feel like I am under pressure to always be perfect” said Arianna J., former D1 forward.
“I feel like as a #studentathlete you always have to put being an athlete first, you have to pick yourself up every day and essentially force yourself to be okay” said #college senior Sydney F. “Which I think puts you in a deeper hole, pushing things down to get by day to day.”
Expectation to Perform in the Classroom
In addition to the pressure to perform well in #athletics, there is also the academic expectations of #college that weigh on #studentathletes.
“The demand of being on a team can be very draining,” said Arianna J. “It definitely has an effect on my performance in the classroom.”
“I feel like it is so easy to put school aside and be laxed with it. Causing you to fall really behind,” said Sydney F. “And when #school and #athletics aren’t going well it makes everything so much worse.”
#Stigma Surrounding #Athletes & #MentalHealth
Another reason #athletes struggle to get the help that they need is the #stigma surrounding #athletes and their #mentalhealth.
Betterup.com states that, “The #stigma around #mentalhealth in #athletes is skewed by perception. Some may wonder how someone so strong and elite be subject to #mentalhealthissues. But their physical abilities have little to do with their #mentalhealth.”
#College #athletes are viewed differently as they are seen as having it all, a full scholarship, gear, status and more. Causing the assumption that they have it made and should all be happy and content.
Some #studentathletes feel that this #stigma heightens the pressure #athletes already face to perform and always have a strong front. The material things that #athletes receive also fuel the #stigma that there is no reason their #mentalhealth suffers.
“I think that we have a lot of pressure on us to perform, do our sport, and still have time to do homework and take care of ourselves and that’s taxing. People don’t really understand what #athletes go through. They all just think ‘oh they’re fine they just get whatever they want to get’” Sydney F. said.
She continues, “I think they only look at the material things we get and don’t think about how much we truly have to sacrifice to get it.”
#MentalHealth in #Athletics is Indeed an Issue
The recent deaths of #studentathletes, all by #suicide, have proven that #mentalhealth is an issue within #college #athletics. #College #athletes face many challenges daily that can have a significant impact on their #mentalhealth. A #stigma surrounding this issue has also affected these #athletes, as many put their #mentalhealth on the backburner to meet the expectations that are put on them. Highlighting #mentalhealth as something that requires more focus from college institutions to prevent the tragic loss of any more young lives.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
