“I wanted to perform well in my classes and in track, but the pressure was causing me anxiety.”
Study. Get good grades. Get work experience. Build relationships. All college students face similar demands every day. Student-athletes have added challenges, including practice, competitions and most of all, the pressure to perform well. All of this can bring some to their breaking point.
“My anxiety was taking over my whole body so I couldn’t relax,” said Vitoria Alves, a junior in psychology from São Paulo, Brazil, and a member of the K-State track and field team in hurdles and long jump. “I couldn’t focus, and I was really worried about what I could not control. I wanted to perform well in my classes and in track, but the pressure was causing me anxiety.”
Stories like Vitoria’s inspired the focus of 2022’s All in for K-State day of giving, which focused on increasing access to K-State mental health services. The demand for mental health services at K-State has increased by 27% since 2019, mirroring national trends. One in four college students nationwide have had serious thoughts of suicide.*
Vitoria chose to come to Kansas State University because of the excellent reputation of the psychology department and the track and field team. But that meant she was 5,400 miles from home and taking classes in a foreign language — two more things to add to her stress and anxiety. When she realized her anxiety was affecting her ability to do her best in class and on the track, she reached out for help.
“I talked with Dr. Anne Weese, director of sport psychology at K-State, and she worked with me on believing the simple phrase, ‘Don’t try to control the things we cannot control,’” Vitoria said. “If I’d understood this before, I would have been better. Most of the things I had anxiety about were not in my control and weren’t my responsibility.”
Vitoria hopes that by sharing her story, others will be inspired to seek help if they need it.
“I think it’s important for people to know that a lot of us go through the same thing,” she said. “We athletes are told we need to be strong, but it’s not weak to work on your mental health. If people can identify with my story, maybe they will go and find help.”
*From Trends in College Student Mental Health, 2020-2021, JED Campus
