Mental Health Awareness Month, recognized annually in May, honors and educates on mental health conditions and their challenges. In swimming, athletes must identify and overcome several challenges, including mental health obstacles, to be successful on and off the deck.

USA Swimming is currently the only National Governing Body to have an in-house licensed clinician on staff as the Manager of Psychological Services for elite-level athletes to access 24/7. Emily Klueh, LMSW, MSW, CMPC took time to talk with USA Swimming about the importance of mental health and how its members can take advantage of the provided resources.

With May being Mental Health Awareness month, can you explain what mental health is and why you are passionate about the work you do in this space?

Mental health is part of our overall health. When we talk about physical health, we often refer to our bodies, but mental health is the health of our minds. It is essential to recognize our brain is a muscle, and just like any muscle in our body, we can work to make it stronger. No different than our physical body -mental health falls on a continuum of healthy to unhealthy. We all fluctuate along the continuum based on life events, genetics, and other environmental factors. Having support, resources, and tools to enhance our brains is crucial to our overall health and well-being. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma related to working on our minds, admitting we might be struggling or needing help and then asking for it.

I am very passionate about increasing the frequency and opportunities for conversations, reducing stigmas, and enhancing support for people who want to improve their minds. In the athletic world, many feel the need to "tough it out" or are embarrassed to voice that they need support. Having these discussions and normalizing conversations about working on our minds helps more people get the support they need. We know elite athletes have a unique set of stressors impacting their lives regularly, and I am incredibly proud of USA Swimming for putting energy and effort into providing resources for our athletes both in and out of the water.

How can athletes utilize mental health to further their success in and out of the water?

I am a big believer in balance. I don’t mean balance in time, but in understanding ourselves and what we need to optimally function in and out of the water. To function optimally does not mean void of struggle or hard moments: we are human, after all. When we work with our minds, we can find intention and purpose in what we do, which in turn, increases satisfaction and potentially decreases mental health struggles. If we can be honest with ourselves and recognize what is helpful, the decisions we make and how we process emotions can further define a successful trajectory. This leads to focusing more on what is valuable rather than how we feel in a moment. For example, athletes are especially susceptible because at some point in the race things get hard, and it hurts. Learning to use our mind in helpful ways that align with what is important allows us to continue pushing when fatigue sets in. For many, working hard and not giving in is more important than the feeling of fatigue in the moment.

How does mental health affect performance for swimmers?

we look at mental health specifically, we know many things can affect performance. In the clinical space, the struggle we experience can alter the way we may want to engage with sport. It is important to note, many athletes with a clinical diagnosis continue to perform at very high levels in sport. Having a diagnosis does not automatically mean performance will suffer or that an athlete needs to stop participating in their sport.

Some clinical diagnosis, such as depression, can lead to experiencing a harder time engaging in activities most people enjoy. Being at swim practice can be mentally and emotionally challenging, in addition to the physical impact and exhaustion training inflicts. Not wanting to engage in sport can cause us to hold back, or not challenge ourselves to improve in the way we may want. Similarly, if we struggle with anxiety, it can impact many areas of our body. For example, there is a strong connection between anxiety and our gut. Some athletes become so anxious or nervous before a race they may get sick, which can cause their bodies to be more depleted of nutrients. Anxiety also wears out our muscles more quickly because our bodies are working harder to internally regulate.

On the other end of the spectrum, when looking at sport optimization, the way we talk to ourselves has an impact on how we engage. If we possess the tools to effectively self-talk, we can more easily focus and concentrate on specific tasks rather than give into fatigue, second guess ourselves, or worry about outcomes.

I am a believer that the best athletes in the world are the best problem-solvers in their sport. They see a hurdle, and then quickly and effectively solve the problem without getting caught up in worries and fears. This is a skill that our mind drives and when enhanced can positively impact performance.

What advice do you have for athletes looking to learn more about mental health? Are there resources available?

There are numerous resources available to learn about and access mental health support. You can start by utilizing preventative and proactive strategies, which can help increase positive outcomes. Additionally, if anyone is struggling with suicidal ideation or self-harm, please call 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Line. You can also text 741-741 to be connected immediately with someone who can help.

Here is a list of other support resources:

1. USA Swimming has a page dedicated to health and wellness. While it is listed as coach mental health and wellness, the resources provided can be accessible to all.

   Coach Mental Health & Wellness (usaswimming.org)

2. Athletes Connected is a program started at the University of Michigan which is dedicated to increasing awareness and reducing stigma of mental health.

   Get Support – Athletes Connected (umich.edu)

3. The National Organization on Mental Illness (NAMI) was created to provide education, support, and resources.
   Stigma of Mental Health in Sports Remains an Opponent (nami.org)