Athletes’ well-being isn’t just physical. It’s also mental and emotional. Coaches, parents, and peers can all play a role in supporting positive mental health in gymnastics.

Challenges Athletes Face:

• Pressure to perform or earn placements.
• Comparing themselves to others.
• Managing school, sport, and personal life balance.

Ways to Support Mental Health:

• Normalize open conversations about stress and mental health.
• Encourage athletes to set personal goals rather than comparing.
• Create recovery days and downtime in training schedules.
• Offer referrals to mental health resources when needed.

For Parents & Coaches:

• Watch for warning signs of burnout or withdrawal.
• Celebrate effort and progress, not just outcomes.
• Model positive self-talk and balance.

Resources:

• viaSport – Mental Health Resources
• Headversity