Student-Athletes' Deteriorating Mental Health During COVID-19: Recommendations on Proactive Strategies for Addressing Unique Mental Health Needs.

This article focuses on the unique mental health challenges faced by high school and college student-athletes, which were intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides comprehensive recommendations for multiple stakeholders to address these needs. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of mental and physical health in student-athletes and highlights the roles of pediatric psychologists, allied healthcare professionals, sports organizations, academic institutions, coaches, caregivers, and the athletes themselves in fostering a culture that prioritizes holistic well-being. Key interventions include proactive mental health screening, education, transparent communication, and the promotion of mental health literacy and equity, especially for populations at higher risk such as female, transgender, students of color, and economically marginalized athletes. The article underscores that coordinated, multi-level efforts and destigmatization of mental health in athletics are essential to improving psychological outcomes and supporting student-athletes' performance both academically and athletically.