Mental Health and Student Athletes: Perfectionism & Self-Esteem

Student athletes face unique pressures both on and off the field. Between schoolwork, practices, games, and social expectations, the weight of performance can feel overwhelming. Two common challenges we see in young athletes are perfectionism and low self-esteem — and both can quietly affect mental health, motivation, and even injury risk. At Chardon Performance Therapy, we believe that helping athletes thrive means supporting both the body and the mind.

The Perfectionism Trap

Perfectionism can look like:

• Constantly comparing yourself to teammates or competitors

• Feeling like you’re never good enough, even after a great game

• Being afraid to make mistakes in practice or competition

• Feeling anxious before games because of the fear of failure

While striving for excellence can motivate athletes, perfectionism often leads to burnout, overtraining, and emotional stress. Instead of enjoying the game, athletes start fearing it.

The Role of Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is how we value ourselves as people — not just as athletes. Low self-esteem may show up as:

• Negative self-talk (“I’m terrible,” “I’m letting everyone down”)

• Avoiding trying new skills for fear of embarrassment

• Difficulty bouncing back after losses or injuries

• Placing self-worth entirely on sports performance

Healthy self-esteem gives athletes the resilience to handle challenges, stay confident after mistakes, and keep sports fun, which is the key to long-term success.

Strategies for Supporting Mental Health

Helping athletes manage perfectionism and build healthy self-esteem takes intention. Here’s what we recommend to parents, coaches, and athletes:

• Normalize Mistakes – Remind athletes that errors are part of growth. Celebrate effort and learning, not just wins.

• Shift the Focus to the Process – Praise preparation, hard work, and teamwork rather than just the outcome.

• Teach Self-Compassion – Encourage athletes to talk to themselves like they would to a teammate who’s struggling.

• Balance Training with Recovery – Adequate sleep, nutrition, and rest days support both mental and physical health.

• Encourage Open Conversations – Create a safe space where athletes can talk about stress, pressure, or anxiety without judgment.

Supporting the mental health of student athletes is just as important as strength training or skill development. When we teach athletes to embrace imperfection, build confidence, and prioritize well-being, we set them up for lifelong success both on and off the field.

Let’s Start the Conversation

If you have a student athlete who might be struggling with pressure, confidence, or performance anxiety, we’d love to help. Sometimes, just taking the first step and starting the conversation is all it takes to get things moving in the right direction. Talk to your PT or Doctor today to start the conversation.