Women in Mental Health in Sports

MAY 2021 | ISSUE 10

THE HELP SHOW NEWSLETTER A Monthly Discussion of Mental Health Topics

JOIN US WOMEN IN MENTAL HEALTH AND SPORTS Podcast May 28th at 6:30pm CST

In This Issue: Assumptions Women Face- 2 Upcoming podcast - 4 In case you missed it - 5

MENTAL HEALTH PODCAST: Women in Mental Health in Sports Join us for our upcoming podcast Coming into a male –dominant industry that shunned females as competitors, an impact has been left on the athletic community to prove that women are capable of being more than competitors, but a force to be reckoned with. in 1972 Title IX was enacted to change the trajectory of women in sports, but as we know, with change, many hardships can be presented.

The pressure associated with being an elite female athlete can affect performance, body image, and overall mental well-being. bodyweight and physical conditioning can be driving factors in training and competition. In a study of division 1 NCAA athletes, over one-third of female athletes reported attitudes and symptoms placing them at risk for anorexia nervosa. The website for National Eating Disorders is a great resource for more educational topics and statistics on this matter. eating disorders, along with other mental health conditions left unaddressed or mistreated, can lead to the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Battling mental health may be one of the toughest opponents an athlete can face, But with acknowledgment, support, and education is where the competition begins.

“Athletes most likely don’t get help for depression or mental health issues because they can’t even admit that it’s an issue. that is so fundamentally at odds with being a competitor. This is war. It’s a game of strategy. It’s a game of maneuvering and posturing. You need to show the world that you are strong.” ― Sasha Cohen So, click to subscribe to our newsletter today.

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BIAS ASSUMPTIONS WOMEN FACE Pay gap

The fight for equal pay is a near-universal struggle in women’s sports, from WNBA players renegotiating their salaries, to the US Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) taking their employers to court overpay discrimination. There is nowhere else where the pay gap between men and women is more visible (and contentious) than in sports. In the lawsuit filed by USWNT, the plaintiffs claim that if the women and men’s respective soccer teams were to play (and win) the same amount of games, female players would only be paid a maximum of $4,950 per game, whereas male players would be paid an average of $13,166 per game.

Boys were more likely to speak about becoming professional

Women also feel these inequalities in basketball. Though the WNBA announced a new collective bargaining agreement that

ensures cash compensation for “other top players” will range from around

$200,000-$300,000,

this

compensation

pales

in

comparison to their male counterparts. ESPN’s list of NBA player salaries for the 2020-2021 season shows that the top 500 players either meet or exceed $1.4 million dollars in earnings. Some may argue that the pay gap has little to do with women’s health but being undervalued by one’s employer or institution definitely has an impact on mental health; the Victorian government of Australia found that the pay gap puts women at a higher risk of physical and mental illness.

While important, equal pay is not the only struggle women in sports must face. From junior sports to Olympic level, female athletes compete in the public eye, and must also reckon with biased assumptions both on and off the field.

athletes in the future, whereas only a few of the girls talked about participating in sports at the professional level. The girls had effectively dismissed the possibility of a career as an athlete before they could even begin. Sexism not only effects women’s ambitions in sports, but also their mental health. A 2019 study of the effects of sex discrimination on women found that those who perceived sexist discrimination reported poor mental wellbeing. Beyond fighting sexist assumptions, women athletes must also contend with less support and resources than their male counterparts are provided with.

The disparity in resources between genders Women face a lack of both emotional and material support in sports. While more women are becoming professional athletes than ever before, many are at a loss when it comes to accessing or finding support from sports leaders. Gender segregation still exists in sports governance, with women kept from roles that could put them in a position to better allocate

Assumptions about physical ability.

Though there are numerous sexist beliefs about women in

funds and other material resources towards women’s sports teams and associations. The lack of support also translates to reduced visibility and fan support; a quantitative analysis of

sports, one of the most common is the myth that female

5,260 tweets posted about sports in the Spanish media

athletes are physically inferior to male athletes. Sadly, these

showed that only 1.6% of the media outlets covered female

sexist myths are still pervasive today. A 2020 sociological study

athletes. Qualitative analysis revealed that women’s failures in

of Latina women’s sporting experiences found that family

sports (including losses and sanctions) were overrepresented

members’ sexist attitudes towards them often hampered

in comparison to women athletes’ achievements, which may

women from participating in sports. Biased messages most

work against advertisement and allocation of resources for

often came from family members, who were concerned that

women athletes.

their daughters would be easily injured or felt that sports would negatively impact their femininity.

What is consent?

According to RAINN, “Consent is an agreement between

Messages about women being unfit to participate in sports

participants to engage in sexual activity.” Before you and your

have long-term consequences: a 2021 survey of 12-and 13-year-

partner begin any kind of sexual activity, be sure to discuss

old boys and girls found stark differences in their ambitions regarding sports.

boundaries and what to expect. What all parties must keep in mind is that consent is not static, nor is it a permanent permission slip for someone to do what they want to their partner. Consenting to a single act in one instance does not mean that you give consent to other acts, or to the same act every time.

Remember

A person has the right to withdraw consent at any time, and their partner has the obligation to stop immediately. The person who withdraws consent should not ever be shamed for changing their mind during sex, making out, etc.

Search for the presence of a “yes”, not the lack of a “no”. While consent can be expressed through nonverbal cues like smiling and nodding, it is important to remember that verbal consent is the only sure way to know that your partner is okay and/or wants to continue.

Check in regularly with your partner to make sure you both want to continue sexual activity.

Physical responses to sexual stimulation (erections, lubrication, arousal, etc.) are involuntary and can occur even when someone is not consenting to sex. Perpetrators may minimize a victim’s refusal by claiming that signs of arousal (for example, an orgasm) means that the victim “liked it.” But a body alone cannot consent to sex: only you get to decide what you want and don’t want to do.

Yet Nassar could never have gained so much trust had USA Gymnastics (USAG)---his employer---investigated the first complaints filed against him in earnest. When institutions are made aware that they are affiliated with and/or employing an abuser, they have a duty to keep their employees safe by removing the abuser’s power over and proximity to the victims. Although it is important for institutions to respond to perpetrators swiftly and justly, the needs and feelings of the victims must be prioritized.

Aftermath of sexual assault There is no one roadmap to recovery in the aftermath of sexual assault.

Healing takes time and is not always linear. The most important thing a survivor of assault can do is self-care. Just as athletes must take care of their bodies, so too must survivors. Consider getting restful sleep and eating healthy meals. Exercise and other physical activities that you enjoy are also encouraged (although if you are injured, please talk with your doctor before exerting yourself). It is also important to take care of your emotional needs: journaling, meditation, time with loved ones, or familiar hobbies can be great outlets for alleviating stress.

What are the statistics behind sexual assault for women?

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, know that you do not have to do

In March of 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that nearly

the emotional heavy lifting on your own. Consider getting into contact

1 in 3 women worldwide have been subjected to physical and/or sexual

with a licensed professional like a therapist to help you develop skills

violence by an intimate partner, non-partner, or both. In addition, 6% of

and strategies to work through the challenges you may be facing.

women reported having been sexually assaulted by someone other than a

EMPOWER HER

partner.

Positive effects of being a woman in sports

Women are already at a high risk of assault as is, and the athletic population is no different. A 2014 cross-sectional study of Swedish youth and adult elite athletes found that 14% reported lifetime exposure to

Disheveling from boundaries to benefits there are a variety of positive effects of being a woman in sports.

sexual abuse, while more women than men reported lifetime sexual abuse. (A study in The Lancet reports that the rate of sexual assault in

Higher levels of self-esteem and confidence

western Europe is 14.08%, so the rate of assault is roughly equal between

Opportunity for mentorship and team collaboration

athletic and non-athletic populations.) With how startlingly common

Work ethic development

sexual assault of women is across the world, some are turning to

Leading Legacy

governments and institutions to help alleviate the problem. In the case of

Optimistic economic contributions

female athletes, many wonder what sporting organizations can do to keep their players safe.

These positive outcomes transform individuals and communities. As we continuously make striving efforts to better support women in sports, investing in girls and young women ambitions begins the

Institutional responsibility

initiatives.

According to the same 2014 study of athletes by Timpka et al., 3% of athletes surveyed reported having been sexually abused in the athletics

Positive evolution of women in sports

setting. The perpetrators of sexual abuse in athletics were both men and women, ranging from coaches to colleagues. Sports and sports medical

The Evolution of women in sports has transcended tremendously

staff are sadly no exception to this, as we see in the case of ex-Olympic

over the last century. Women have exuded versatility and strength

doctor Larry Nassar, whose abuse of underaged and young adult Olympic

throughout the industry. They have proven to be powerful with

gymnasts was so prolific that over 150 women have made impact

progressive times. this article from world Athletics highlights a few

statements about how Nassar’s abuse affected their lives and careers.

major

milestones

throughout

Women’s

Sports’

history.

As

revolutionary as the Athletic community has become, now is the time to engage the momentum.

What can we do to help?

The Help Show always wants to equip our readers with tools to better support a loved one. We want to be able to address the challenges that come along with transforming an industry. For that reason, we have provided a variety of resources and tools to reference for women’s progressing on their mental health journey.

Proactively reimaging policies, regulations, and programs lands us at the forefront of an ever-changing world and industry.

Join our upcoming virtual live podcast Episode 103: “Does She Make the Cut?” Women in Mental Health in Sports

Friday, May 28th at 6:30pm Central Friday, May 28th 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 women athletes and their ability to perform due to stress. She will also talk about sexism and inequality in the sports world and the bias assumptions women face playing elite sports. 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 a board-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.

Dr. Eric Force PhD, CMPC, Sport Psychologist

Dr. Erica Force is a licensed psychologist specializing in sport psychology, working with adolescent, collegiate, professional and elite athletes. In her private practice she is dedicated to providing counseling services to individual athletes and teams in the community. Dr. Force is nationally qualified as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and is a registered Sport Psychologist with the United States Olympic Committee. She currently serves as the Head of Athletics Counseling Services in Athletics at Georgetown University. She has served as a team sport psychologist for teams such as the Dallas Wings of the WNBA

In Case You Missed It Our last podcast: Minorities and Mental Health in Sport In our last podcast, we discussed understanding minority athletes and their mental health. We also discussed systemic racism and harassment, as well as the Black Lives Matter movement in sports in the midst of a pandemic, what it looks like, and how it has changed the mentality of minority athletes .Get help at www.TheHelpShow.org/podcast-resources/

Mental Health Resources Get help at www.TheHelpShow.org/podcast-resources/ In addition to the resources addressed on our podcasts, visit our website to find mental resources in the community at any time.

Archived Podcasts Visit our library at www.TheHelpShow.org/podcasts/ The Help Show hosts podcasts to address a wide variety of mental health topics and educate the community to how to access mental health resources.

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