“Your Competitive Edge” Consultant Examines Issue of Awareness and Intervention for Mental Health Issues in Athletes
The Woodlands, TX (PRWEB) September 06, 2011
The Winter Sports and athletic communities at large are reeling with the news of the sudden passing of US Olympic Aerials star Jeret “Speedy” Peterson. The news of his suicide has spread across blogs and news channels and described the Olympic medalist as a talented but often disturbed character, who often found solace in sport, however ultimately succumbed to personal struggles.
Your Comeptitive Edge Sport Psychology Consulting’s Adrienne Langelier regularly sees athletes in her Texas office dealing with various mental health issues and aims to increase awareness.
Peterson allegedly committed suicide just days after an arrest for an alcohol-related violation, according to CNN.com’s post. Peterson reportedly struggled with traumatic life events, depression, and substance use issues. Too often, issues of this nature in athletes are either minimized or overlooked, largely due to the socialization of athletes to be “tough”, “shake things off”, or “just deal with it”.
Sometimes, however, we need to be open and aware that athletes are not immune to mental health and personal struggles. Knowing this fact and how and where to get help are the first steps. Below are some key behaviors to watch for in athletes who may be in need of some assistance:
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