What is Behavioral Health?
Behavioral health refers to the connection between behaviors and the well being of the body, mind, and spirit. We, at Asva, strongly uphold behavioral
health by actively promoting mental health and holistic wellness for athletes.
Some common behavioral disorders include
Eating disorders
Substance abuse
Anxiety disorder
Irregular sleep
Addictions
Social Isolation
Some common behavioral
disorders include
Eating disorders
Substance abuse
Anxiety disorder
Irregular sleep
Addictions
Social Isolation
Behavioral Health in the United States
The global pandemic has only worsened behavioral health in America. According to a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1 in 5 Americans live with mental illness. Serious suicidal thoughts, severe depression, and substance abuse are also on the rise among the youth.
Numerous studies have shown that a significant number of American adults experiencing behavioral health problems do not seek proper medical assistance or treatment.
A study by Mental Health America pointed out that nearly 60% of the youth suffering from severe depression do not seek proper medical treatment. Furthermore, 2.5 million youngsters suffer from serious depression; among them, multi-racial youngsters are at an even higher risk.
Struggles Among Student-Athletes
Unlike regular students, student-athletes are in constant public glare—questioned, loved, hated, and even criticized for their wins, losses, and hardships. These hectic exposures can be exhausting and drive them towards physical and psychological burnout. Coaches and trainers have also observed that constantly shouldering the burden of others’ expectations and still playing through injuries will benefit nothing in the long term, especially athletes’ wellness and mental health.
Cause for Concern
Student-athletes are balancing and integrating multiple aspects of their lives to perform better. They frequently face challenges in maintaining their image and reputation, which makes them avoid seeking professional assistance. As a result, a number of them drop out of the one thing they passionately love—sports. This causes a series of hardships like frustration, anger, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, and other behavioral health issues resulting in the collapse of mental strength for athletes.
Multiple Factors Impacting Behavioral Health
Past Traumatic Incidents
Biological Factors
After-effects of Covid-19
Emotional Instability at Home
Unhealthy Lifestyle
Behavioral Health Among Professional Athletes
A study from Athletes for Hope states that at least 35% of elite athletes at some stage in their career suffered from mental illness. In another survey from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), 56% of athletes (including youth athletes) said they experience difficulty training effectively, while 50% mentioned they cannot keep themselves motivated.
Thus, contrary to popular perception, elite athletes too are vulnerable to behavioral health issues that, if left untreated, could lead to serious health disasters. Asva eliminates these possibilities by well-crafting programs for promoting mental health and meditation for athletes.
