MINORITIES & MENTAL HEALTH

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As he raised his fist for justice, Colin Kaepernick shook the nation - fighting against systemic racism and racial inequality. 2016 began the trajectory of change for the athletic community. But minority athletes striving to address discrimination in sports must also face stressors both in and out of the game. Coping with racism in daily life---let alone while protesting---can take a toll on an athlete’s mental health. The effects of systemic racism impact minority athletes in ways that ‘mental toughness’ cannot overcome.

According to a 2020 study from Harvard Medical School, Black football players were 67% more likely to suffer from depression than Caucasian football players. Researchers also found that social and economic advantage did not lessen racial health disparities. Money is nice, but it can’t protect minority athletes from the effects of racism on their mental health.

As you know, The Help Show's mission is to connect families/individuals with community resources and provide education on mental health awareness with support from licensed professionals and specialists. This year's series highlights mental health and sports because of the drastic effect Covid has had on athlete's form, from recreational sports to our elite players. So, click to subscribe to our newsletter today.

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SORTS PAY GAPS & INEQUALITY

Barriers to minorities Experiencing subtle racial harassment can significantly impact how a person goes about their day, making it difficult for anyone--athletes included--to work at 100%. This is a major source of psychological stress that Caucasian people, and Caucasian athletes, do not have to manage. For minority student-athletes, this stress is compounded by the expectation that they must play like an all-star athlete without making an all-star athlete’s pay.

College & Pay

College sports is a lucrative business; in 2018 alone, college sports programs earned $14.8 billion total. Those in favor of paying student-athletes argue that since athletes make their schools millions of dollars, they should pay some of the earnings. Those against paying college athletes counter that paying athletes would create an uneven playing field, with the most affluent universities can outbid their competitors for the best recruits. They claim that athletic competition would suffer and that inequality would widen further. But athletes from impoverished backgrounds may not receive the chance to play---and be paid--- professionally. A 2010 study shows that Black athletes from lower-class backgrounds were 37% less likely to play for the NBA. These racial and class biases only add to the pressure for poor minority college athletes to get into professional sports in the hopes of someday being paid. While college athletics grapple with paying student-athletes, the professional sports world must think about another long-standing issue: the wage gap between men and women.

Men vs Women

Despite the advances women have made in the workplace, minority female athletes struggle to be paid the same as their male counterparts. A study of prize money earned in tournaments by professional tennis players shows a discrepancy in pay between men and women. While both genders were paid the same in highly publicized tournaments, women are paid less than their male peers in the middle- and low-tier tournaments despite sharing the same employer, venue, ticket sales, and engagement ratings. In one year alone, the prize money for the lowest-earning man ($110,000) was more than three times that of the lowest-earning woman (around $32,000).

This is consistent with the overall earnings gap between black and white laborers of either gender; a 2020 study found that Black men earned 17% less than Caucasian men, and Black women earned 7% less than Caucasian women. This discrimination has long-term effects on people’s livelihoods and intergenerational wealth, which is a huge source of stress. While the amount of money differs significantly based on gender and race, one of the most pervasive inequalities in sports for minority athletes is medical racism.

Treatment Bias

Discrimination in sports exists not just in wages but also in healthcare. A 2017 study of NCAA Division 1 sports staff’s perception of athlete’s pain found that medical staff perceived Black (vs. Caucasian) athletes differently. Specifically, those surveyed believed that Black athletes experienced less pain than Caucasian athletes. This bias has a considerable effect on Black athletes’ recovery from injuries, potentially putting their health and careers at risk when treated by biased staff.

STRESS IN SPORTS

Stress in sports at any level can prove to be inevitable. The pressure may come from many angles, including competitive, organizational, and personal environments. Performance anxiety can contribute to physical injuries on the field, and hinder team cohesion depending on the origin of the stressor. It is vital to foster a relationship of effective communication and openness to protect the athlete's wellbeing and the longstanding relationship between teammates and coaches.

A 2009 study conducted within an elite female football team examined Psychosocial stress factors and their influence on acute and overuse injury risk. The study provided great intel on the essential communication component in prevention and recovery.

Coping with stress can be a tricky situation, especially when resources are unavailable or limited. The first step to beginning the coping process is identifying the reasoning for anxiety. Once stressors are identified, various coping mechanisms can be applied to alleviate the burden. Recognizing these stressors early on can make a significant difference in your overall health. Below we found some examples of different coping strategies from the Association for Applied Sports Psychology:

Breathing Techniques

Exercising

Creating itemized To Do list

Positive Self Talk Affirmations

We have also provided a list of local community resources available to help open the dialogue to talk about stress. It is best to seek a licensed mental health professional for additional guidance to tailor the techniques best for you.

The term “Code-Switching” is commonly used in the African American community and is defined as a change in communication style based upon audience and setting. According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, the term can be applied cross–culturally across the minority community. It has been used to optimize the comfort of others in exchange for fair treatment, quality service, and employment opportunities. Code-Switching has, in some instances, become an automated transaction at a psychological cost to minorities. The Harvard Business review article also identified some of the cons and nuances associated with these types of interaction

HOW TO REPRESENT YOUR TEAM

Diversity and inclusion are emerging trends across a wide variety of professions. The challenge to integrate longstanding athletic institutions and organizations continues to prevail today. According to data presented from the institute for diversity and ethics, the NFL shows the most considerable disparity between the number of players of color and Head coaches of color.

“For the second consecutive year, the NFL had only four head coaches of color and only two general managers of color at the start of the season. This stands in stark contrast to the percentage of players of color on NFL rosters, which is 69.4%, and the record high of eight head coaches of color and six general managers of color only two years ago.”

Cultural competency enables access to compassionate care to all backgrounds, ethnicities, and populations. As the world continues to diversify and evolve, Nike is a globally recognized brand that strategically focuses on representation, education, and community.

Join our upcoming virtual live podcast

Episode 102: “Major Problems Minor Recognition: Minorities and Mental Health in Sports”

Friday, April 30th at 6:30pm Central

Friday, April 30th at 6:30 pm Central How can you help support the mental health of loved ones affected by the pandemic within the athletic community? Let the experts in our podcast guide you. Join the live podcast and add your name too many other responsible people who want to make a difference.

NiEtta Reynolds, MSW Founder of The Help Show

NiEtta will host our podcast to help us understand the significance of mental health in today's athletes, from recreational athletes to our elite athletics and their ability to perform. She will also talk about how Covid in the sports world has changed the way athletics view their health. This podcast aims to spread awareness regarding mental health and sports and how players can get the help they need when facing challenges in the aftereffects of Covid. NiEtta is passionate about educating the community on mental health issues, so she uses her platform to engage people from all walks of life in spreading mental health awareness.

Dr. Kenneth Rogers MD Psychiatrist / Co-Host

Dr. Rogers, our podcast’s co-host, has over 20 years of experience as aboard-certified psychiatrist addressing PTSD and other trauma. His clinical research demonstrates the positive outcomes of intervention through community-based mental health programs. He will help lead our discussion regarding the mental health issues resulting from the stress of change and fear in adults and children.

Ansar Al-Ameen Men’s Head Basketball Coach at Florida Memorial University

Ansar Al-Ameen, and he currently serves as the Men's Head Basketball Coach at Florida Memorial University. He began cultivating his coaching career with the Oakland Soldier AAU program powerhouse in Northern California. Al-Ameen has been highly successful at both the AAU, collegiate, and NBA levels. In 1997, Al-Ameen joined the Fresno State University basketball staff under renowned head coach Jerry Tarkanian. He's held successful collegiate coaching positions with TSU, PVAMU, and the University of Missouri. In addition to his coaching experience, Al- Ameen has been a trainer for many NBA players. Such as Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Jamal Crawford, and Paul Pierce, to name a few Al-Ameen has encountered basketball legends, All-Stars, and Hall of Fame coaches. He's known in the NBA industry as one of the foremost basketball trainers in America. It's safe to say he has left a leading legacy on the court and in the community.

In Case You Missed It

Our last podcast: HOW COVID 19 AFFECT SPORTS

In our last podcast, we discussed athletes’ mental health in the pandemic we also discuss the physical and psychological effects of the pandemic on athletes, the stigma around mental health in sports, and what can be done to foster a culture of openness and care in athletes. Get help at www.TheHelpShow.org/podcast-resources/

Mental Health Resources

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