By Will Middleton
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
On February 13, Towson University student-athletes gathered to witness the twelfth Men’s Basketball Team home game of the season and honor the Dean’s list athletes.
With more than a hundred athletes, around ten per team were acknowledged for their academic success. The event also sparked a crucial conversation about mental health. challenges student-athletes face in balancing school and sports.
“Being a student-athlete is already stressful enough with maintaining a high GPA, being 100% committed to your sport such as practicing 40 hours a week, and maintaining a social life,” shared Rodney Roane, a senior football player. “The physical ability is important, but the mental side is even more pressure.”
Recent studies prove these achievements are not without challenges. According to the NCAA, approximately 30% of student-athletes struggle with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. Also, a 2019 study found that about 35% of advanced athletes have mental health issues, with burnout, depression, and anxiety being the most common issues.
Towson University is successfully addressing these concerns through programs like mentorship and individual sports counseling. Senior football player Shamar Gram describes how much the services offered have helped him along the way. “This program has helped me to overcome battles that not even my closest family knows I have,” says Gram.
He adds, “I’ve noticed a lot of athletes, football players especially, are ashamed of asking for help. The school giving us so much access has helped me to even teach skills to my younger brothers on coping.”
Ed Lowery, Director of Athletics Academic Achievements at Towson University said, “Student-athletes represent an exclusive group on campus and experience various stressors that increase vulnerability to mental illness,” Lowery explained.
As the evening concluded, the record was clear- while academic and athletic achievements are remarkable, addressing mental health is just as significant. Towson University’s commitment to making sure student-athletes receive the support they need to thrive both on and off the field.
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