Athletes are often seen as resilient. They push through pain, work hard, and keep going when things get tough. Those qualities can help them succeed in sport, but they can also make it harder to recognize when something more serious is happening.
Depression doesn’t always look like sadness. In athletes, it can be hidden behind a strong performance, a packed schedule, or an attitude of “I’ll deal with it later.” That’s why coaches and parents play such an important role. You may notice changes long before an athlete asks for help.
Depression can affect anyone
People sometimes assume that successful athletes are less likely to experience mental health challenges because they’re active, connected to a team, and achieving their goals. The reality is that athletes experience depression too.
The pressures of competition, injuries, fear of letting teammates down, balancing school or work with training, perfectionism, and constantly striving to improve can all take a toll. Sometimes depression develops after a major setback, but it can also appear when everything seems to be going well.
Facing a mental health challenge takes real strength. What carries people through it is support and care, not willpower alone.
Signs to watch for
Every athlete is different, but some common signs of depression include:
· Losing interest or enjoyment in a sport they once loved.
· Constant fatigue or unusually low energy, even after rest.
· Changes in sleep, such as struggling to fall asleep or sleeping much more than usual.
· Changes in appetite or weight.
· Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering plays and instructions.
· Becoming more withdrawn from teammates, friends, or family.
· Increased irritability, frustration, or emotional outbursts.
· Being unusually hard on themselves or expressing feelings of worthlessness.
· A noticeable drop in motivation or performance that doesn’t have a clear physical explanation.
One sign on its own doesn’t necessarily mean someone is experiencing depression. But when several of these changes last for a couple of weeks or more, it’s worth checking in.
Performance isn’t always the best indicator
One of the biggest misconceptions is that if an athlete is still performing well, they must be doing okay.
Many people experiencing depression continue to excel in school, at work, or in sport. They may even work harder to hide how they’re feeling because they don’t want to disappoint others or appear weak. We’ve seen high-profile athletes speak openly about experiencing mental health challenges even at the height of their careers—a reminder that performance isn’t always an indication of how someone is doing.
On the other hand, some athletes may suddenly struggle with motivation, confidence, or consistency after years of performing at a high level.
Rather than focusing only on results, pay attention to changes in behaviour, mood, and how they seem to be coping overall.
How coaches and parents can help
You don’t need to have all the answers. Often, the most helpful thing you can do is create space for an honest conversation.
Choose a quiet time to talk and focus on what you’ve noticed rather than making assumptions.
For example:
“I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed like yourself lately. You seem more tired than usual and haven’t been enjoying practice as much. How have you been doing?”
Listen without rushing to solve the problem or minimize their feelings. Avoid responses like “Everyone gets stressed,” or “You’ll feel better after the next game.” While well intentioned, these can make someone feel like their struggles aren’t being taken seriously.
Instead, let them know you care, that you’re in this with them, and that reaching out for help is the natural thing to do. Athletes do this all the time, a coach to sharpen technique, a physiotherapist for an injury, a nutritionist for fuel. A mental health professional is the same move: an expert in their field, helping you get better.
Encourage professional support
If you’re concerned that an athlete may be experiencing depression, encourage them to talk with you or someone else they trust, such as a parent, physician, school counsellor, psychologist, or mental health professional.
If they mention feeling hopeless or express thoughts of suicide, take it seriously. Stay with them, involve a mental health professional immediately, and seek emergency assistance if there is an immediate risk to their safety.
A simple first step
Sometimes people aren’t sure whether what they’re experiencing is “serious enough” to ask for help. That’s one reason depression screening tools can be helpful. They aren’t a diagnosis, but they can help someone better understand what they’re experiencing and whether it’s a good idea to seek additional support.
As part of National Depression Screening Day, from October 5–11, anyone can take a free, anonymous online depression screening quiz at areyoufeelingok.com. The quiz takes just a few minutes to complete and provides personalized information about depression symptoms along with resources and guidance on possible next steps.
As a coach or parent, you can’t always prevent an athlete from struggling with depression. But by noticing the signs, starting compassionate conversations, and encouraging support early, you can help ensure they know they don’t have to face it alone.
This article was provided by Calgary Counselling Centre, with information provided by psychologist Joel Zimmerman. Calgary Counselling Centre offers counselling services to individuals, couples, and families across Calgary — learn more at calgarycounselling.com.