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Mental Health Athlete Spotlight

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

Boston College multi-sport athlete understands the importance of balance

Boston College multi-sport athlete Sydney Segalla may only be a sophomore, but the soccer and track star has already carved out a key role in both programs at her school. The 19-year-old committed to Boston College at the age of 15 and didn’t start running track until her senior year of high school, but her athletic ability was of no doubt to coaches. 

Sydney Segalla is photographed on the track in lane 7 as she gets set to run.

“Since I was already going to Boston College, the track coach just kind of reached out to me and was like since you’re already here, do you want to run track too?” Segalla said. 

Segalla comes from a family of athletes with a dad who played baseball at Quinnipiac University and a sister who played six years of soccer at West Virginia. The recruiting and training process for her and her two little sisters had been made easier because of the family’s experience, but two Division I sports at once is no easy task. 

Segalla has switched between positions on the soccer field and events in track, filling holes left by graduating players or injured teammates. As a freshman, she even helped break the program record in the 4×400-meter relay. 

“I remember as we went to Louisville for ACC indoors for track,” she said. “I flew back a day earlier than everyone and played in the game versus Northeastern for soccer the next day.”

It is this dedication that has allowed Segalla to perform at such a high level. She stays conditioned year-round and continues to make technical strides in each of her sports. The physical attributes are prevalent, but the mental aspect is the most difficult part. 

Boston College soccer player Sydney Segalla photographed juggling a soccer ball during a match.

To combat the pressures of high performance and a busy schedule. Segalla’s secret to success is so simple yet oftentimes overlooked- sleep. She has felt mentally drained during the season, but a consistent sleep schedule goes a long way in keeping her healthy and happy. 

“We have a lot of sports psychologists that like they’ve even reached out to me because they were like, ‘We know you have a lot going on if you really wanna chat,’” she added. 

Her journey has by no means been a solo battle either. Her coaches and advisors are constantly supporting Segalla to be the best athlete and person she can be while remaining mindful of her mental health. 

“[My soccer coach] was always open to me running track if he knew there was a possibility of me being successful,” she said. 

Sydney Segalla photographed with teammates Cleary and Krawczyk at the ACC Championships.

When she isn’t around her teammates, Segalla finds herself trying to relax and take her mind off of sports. She is constantly in practice and working out, so it can almost be a breath of fresh air away from the field or track. 

That being said, she knows she loves the competition and the idea of improving herself day in and day out. 

“I feel like I just kept running myself to the ground when I didn’t need to,” she said.”People understand you need a break. Don’t be afraid. I ask my coaches sometimes ‘Hey guys, I need to take the day off’ and people understand that.”

Athletics is more than just physical ability, and Sydney Segalla knows that in order to break more program milestones she is going to need to be aware of how she is feeling. Peak performance is not about burning yourself out, but consistently making sure you can maintain the level of activity you strive for. 

Segalla does just that.

AFH News

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

AFH Transforms Popular AFH Fit Program

As Athletes for Hope continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing needs of students across the country, we are thrilled to announce that the AFH Fit Program has undergone a transformation this summer and will now be known as the CHAMPS Program.

Originally created to address the critical issue of childhood obesity, AFH Fit has been a part of hundreds of classrooms nationwide, impacting hundreds of thousands of kids. As the need for mental wellness in schools grows, AFH Fit has combined with our H.E.A.R.T. Curriculum to put children’s mental and physical well-being first.

Only one in four children in the U.S. is getting the recommended amount of physical activity each day. Getting kids moving – no matter the time of year – is important now more than ever as rates of depression and anxiety in youth have surged, a trend that has only intensified due to changes and stressors since the COVID-19 pandemic (www.childrenscolorado.org, 2023). According to Mental Health America, as of 2022 over 10% of America’s youth have severe major depression with approximately 15% having experienced a major depressive episode within the previous year.

Leveraging the structure of AFH Fit, the CHAMPS curriculum will integrate mental wellness lessons alongside our existing physical movement and leadership activities, creating a holistic approach to youth well-being. Program participants can expect to see brand new on-demand videos, student workbooks, and teacher guides that pair with each of the 6 sessions following the curriculum brought to them by professional, Olympic, Paralympic, and collegiate athletes.

Courage | Honesty | Accountability | Mindfulness | Positivity | Strength

The monthly sessions reinforce the importance of physical activity, and children’s mental wellness, help to identify helpful behaviors and practices that promote daily mental health, and create a setting for open conversations about what wellness means for kids.

If you are a teacher who is interested in bringing an athlete to your classroom this fall (virtually or in-person), please fill out this signup form by September 29, 2023.

Mental Health Athlete Spotlight

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

Just another player: How David Kubiak found joy in baseball

From college baseball to 36th round MLB draft pick to securing spots in 4 different organizations, David Kubiak’s baseball journey has been a series of ups and downs. 

Many baseball players picture themselves being drafted and having a long and lustrous career in the majors, but that is oftentimes not the case. Kubiak was cut from the Tampa Bay Rays on the last day of spring training and two years later found himself in Independent ball before taking time away from the game.

photo of David Kubiak pitching

“I think I still had some left in the tank,” Kubiak said. 

Upon his return to baseball, he went on to play several years in the Frontier League and Atlantic League before playing in the minors again. Stints in Mexico, Taiwan, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic have brought him to where he is today, playing winter ball. 

While it is a windy path, Kubiak counts his blessings for being able to play the game he loves for a living. 

“I was fortunate enough to get drafted,” he said. “I probably would have played four or five years, now I’m in my twelfth. The stability of affiliated ball is fickle for sure.”

Whether it is the politics within baseball or the sheer number of talents, Kubiak found himself in a unique position. On two separate occasions he decided to take a step away from the game, and each time he came back with a positive attitude. 

As a “faith-driven career,” baseball’s landscape is not for everybody, and mental health is an essential piece to the sport. 

“Mental health is finally starting to make its way into normal, non-taboo talk,” Kubiak said. “When I grew up it was kind of just shut up and play. You just wear it.”

Photo of David Kubiak meditating before a baseball game

The direction sports is headed in the mental health space has carved out roles for people like Kubiak to become advocates, sharing their stories and helping others find peace. 

Kubiak serves as Marketing and VIP Relations Coordinator at WhiteFlag App, a mental health app dedicated to changing the way people communicate and heal. He has worked with dozens of clients and ambassadors to help promote the app and change lives. 

He doesn’t try to mask his own struggles either. 

“I wasn’t happy playing,” Kubiak said about the times he had to step away. “It wasn’t fun to come to the field every day and that wasn’t how I wanted sports to be.”

His support system at home and two years of therapy have helped Kubiak realize that he is not alone. 

Photo of David Kubiak celebrating after a great performance on the mound.

“Everybody goes through this stuff, everybody has insecurities no matter how much people tell you they don’t,” he added. “It’s nice to have somewhere to outlet that.”

The resources being invested in the game from mental skills coaches to other athletes who have struggled speaking out are a few ways in which baseball is helping their own. 

David Kubiak may not have had the easiest journey, but he has found happiness within himself after every twist and turn. 

“Mental health is a really important part of sports,” Kubiak said. “I’m really glad it’s starting to come out of the shadows.”

Mental Health Athlete Spotlight

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

For University of Texas swimmer Riley Courtney, she knew when it was time to step out of the pool and focus on her mental health. 

Her eating disorder had begun to consume her life and impact her performance in the water. She entered the locker room one afternoon with her entire team present and explained the situation. Essentially, she told them she needed a break. 

“I was really worried about people thinking that I wasn’t committed or that I wasn’t hard-working,” Courtney said. 

Instead of viewing Riley as a quitter or feeling dismayed towards their teammate, the team rallied around her. Through hugs and messages, Riley’s departure away from the pool was the strongest decision she could have made in their eyes. 

The University of Texas women’s swimmers do periodic shout-outs to one another for performing well or doing something good for themselves. Riley’s shout-out and the sense of community surrounding the program helped her overcome the internal battles. It gave her people to turn to in her time of need. 

Swimming was a prominent piece of who she was at that moment, but when she decided to take time for herself, she not only learned the power of a healthy mindset but that she was capable of even more in her sport. 

“Everyone was on the same page that I was doing a different kind of work outside of the pool,” Courtney said. “That made me feel like I was bettering myself in the sport, because even though I’m not training physically…I’m working on a totally different aspect of myself that is going to help me.”

And even though she was not swimming, she still attended practices and meets to cheer on the same teammates who supported her day in and day out. 

Through the first few weeks, Riley felt all sorts of emotions, from frustration to impatience. She simply wanted to be back on the deck where she belonged with her anger rooted in a “genuine desire to swim.”

She decided that her well-being was more important, though, and this decision to improve her mind and body exclusively allowed for her to improve. She stopped blaming herself for letting the team down and began to view her self-help as crucial to her individual success and contributions. 

“By helping me I’m helping my team,” Courtney said. “I was actively working very hard.”

Outside of the sport, Riley’s interactions with friends and family reflected that of someone with an eating disorder. Yet even when she tried to mask her problems, her support system remained intact. 

They disassociated Riley from the eating disorder, and that made all the difference. 

“My best friends came to treatment with me and came to therapy with me to learn how to help me,” Riley said with a smile. “I didn’t like leaning on other people for help, and I have done a really good job of doing that.”

This realization helped save her life, and Courtney recognizes the importance of relationships in battling a mental illness. 

She knows it is never good to battle solo. 

“Lean on the people that care about you and love you,” Courtney said.

AFH Staff Opinion

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

Athlete Mental Health with NewsNation

By: Suzanne Potts LMSW, MPH

Athletes for Hope Chief Wellbeing Officer, Suzanne Potts LMSW, MPH, joined NewsNation live to discuss athlete mental health in the wake of Simone Biles’s return to sport. NewsNation, a Nexstar Media Group, is the fastest-growing national cable news network reaching 70 million television households across the United States. To watch the full segment, please click here.

On Friday morning, I had the opportunity to speak with the NewsNation journalist, Marni Hughes, to discuss the recent return to sport by Simone Biles after a much-needed mental health break. I was thrilled to be invited on behalf of Athletes for Hope to speak about athlete mental health and advocate for the millions of athletes who may be struggling.

photo of NewsNation anchor Manri Hughes with AFH Chief Wellbeing Officer Suzanne Potts during the live news segment "Examining Mental Health Among Top Athletes"

While the segment only lasted 4 minutes, I had so much more to share about this crucial topic.

If I’d had more time, I would have shared our why:

  • Mental health challenges impact athletes of all levels. Approximately 35% of elite athletes and 33% of collegiate athletes experience mental health disruptions.
  • Athletes face a unique stigma and challenge in seeking help. Out of the 33% of collegiate athletes that experience mental illness, only 10% go on to seek and receive support.
  • Athletes are incredibly vulnerable to developing additional disorders. Female athletes are at a higher risk for eating disorders, and male athletes are at a higher risk for substance abuse.
  • In 2022, there were 5 NCAA student-athletes who died by suicide. There are too many losses in this space. I’d mention Tyler, Arlana, Sarah, Morgan, and Katie, to name a few incredible student-athletes who are missed deeply by their families, friends, and teammates. Their lives continue to have an impact on so many as we learn about their stories.
photo of AFH Chief Wellbeing Officer Suzanne Potts and Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles during the live news segment "Examining Mental Health Among Top Athletes"

If I had more time, I’d share why I think more athletes should speak out about their mental health.

At Athletes for Hope, we believe athletes help model positive self-care, they normalize seeking help, and create space for others to learn about mental health. They are fierce competitors, role models in communities, and people who struggle with their mental health just like everyone else. However, while data suggest that athletes have higher rates of mental illness than the general public yet there is no systemic process or one clear entity responsible for athletes at all levels to access and receive mental health support.

photo of AFH Chief Wellbeing Officer Suzanne Potts and WNBA player Britney Griner during the live news segment "Examining Mental Health Among Top Athletes"

I would definitely want to share solutions to address athlete mental health. For example, solutions could include:

  • Helping reduce the stigma by talking about their mental health journey
  • Establishing team mental health check in’s
  • Providing training for athletes, coaches, and trainers to spot and identify athletes struggling with their mental health
  • Establishing a National Athlete Mental Health Bill of Rights, which could include topics such as:
    • Maintaining a healthy body and body image
    • Access to services that are equitable and representative 
    • Support through the transition out of sport
    • Timely referrals
    • Training and education about athlete mental health for athletes, coaches, and trainers that are trauma-informed
photo of AFH Chief Wellbeing Officer Suzanne Potts and Pro tennis player Naomi Osaka during the live news segment "Examining Mental Health Among Top Athletes"

We believe athlete voices should be heard when they speak out about their mental health experiences, and want to encourage more athletes to feel comfortable telling their stories. We have built a community of athletes, partners, and stakeholders to engage in this national discussion and encourage others to join us.

It’s no surprise that teams like the USWNT are working to raise awareness about athlete mental health. They have been trailblazers and advocates on and off the pitch for decades. Athletes like Simone Biles, Brittney Griner, Kevin Love, and so many others exhibit resilience, provide hope and empower others to share their stories. They confidently use their platforms for good, to help others who may be struggling with their mental health. Our Whole Being Athlete program was created to provide athletes at all levels to raise awareness, access, and acceptability of mental health resources for all athletes. For all of us at Athletes for Hope, we’ll be cheering for Biles, Griner, Oskaka, and the USWNT in their athletic and mental health journeys, and can’t wait to see them shine. 

Mental Health Athlete Spotlight

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

Athletes are not defined by their body or their sport

By: Isabelle Irani

When I was 12 years old, I started swimming at a competitive level. The pressure in women’s athletics is imperceivable to those who have never experienced it, and as a young swimmer who experienced quick progression to a national level, being an athlete became a part of my identity. As I transitioned into a new version of swimming, the only thing I noticed was that I looked different.

As a south asian woman in a diverse city like Houston, I always had other people of color around me. People who I was able to relate to, people who looked like me. That type of community was limited in club swimming. The constant comparison started, and I began to realize that I wasn’t like the other girls I swam with every day. And so, my journey with mental health and representation in athletics began.

I fell into a rabbit hole of comparison. Every day at practice I would become angry with the fact that my body looked different than so many of the other girls, angry that they all seemed to have similar backgrounds and similar lives, and I felt as if I was alone. Unfortunately, my anger was expressed at home, and facing my parents’ innocent questions like “How was practice?” seemed to drive me over the edge.

How was I supposed to say “I hate myself, I hate my body, I hate that everyone seems to be doing better than me in school and in swimming.”, without making them think I was weak? I would explode when someone would comment on any imperfection of mine; panic and tears shed over every bad test grade, every bad practice, and race, and every time someone commented on what I looked like. My relationship with my parents broke more and more each time I pushed them away. I felt so obligated to a standard of perfection; if I wasn’t a perfect student and a perfect athlete, then who was I?

Luckily, I have an amazing mother who realized that something was wrong, and she was able to convince me to accept help from a therapist. Diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and high-functioning anxiety, it was soon discovered that with all the comparison to others I had done, I had forgotten who I was myself. I still remember in one of my first sessions, I was asked to describe what values I liked within myself. Not one thing came to mind. Five years later, after hundreds of hours in therapy, and countless conversations with friends, teammates, coaches, and my parents, I have realized what my values are.

I value the strength that my body possesses, and what it allows me to do every day in the pool- not what it looks like. I value learning new information and applying knowledge in a fulfilling way- not whether my grade was an A or a B. I value my family’s culture, my different experiences, and what makes me unique- the color of my skin doesn’t define me or my ability in athletics.

Getting help from a professional helped me realize that my thoughts were not who I was. My identity was never tied to my appearance, academics, or my performance in the pool, I was always ENOUGH.

Now, I often forget how I am perceived in my sport. I forget that I look different, I forget that my skin color is darker than many other swimmers around me, I forget that my body looks different than many other female athletes, and I forget all the things I used to focus all of my attention on. I forget small aspects of my sport that so many others focus their attention on because I was able to realize that those are not the aspects of being a student-athlete that I value.

Staying true to my values as a student and an athlete gave me the opportunity to do many amazing things, including now, as I attend my second-semester swimming Division 1 at The University of Maine. I work to remember and live my values every day and have so much pride as we enter a new age of diversity in swimming and sports. I hope to use my time left as a collegiate athlete to remind athletes that you are never alone, and you have never been defined by your appearance or ability.

If you are ever struggling, it’s okay to ask for help.