Thank You To The Woodson Center

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to the Woodson Center for funding our research to inform programming that addresses mental health concerns of female athletes in Alabama.

The  project aims to address the alarming rates of anxiety and depression among athletes, particularly focusing on female athletes, who face disproportionately higher mental health challenges compared to their male counterparts according to a recent NCAA survey. The statistics reveal that 47 percent of female athletes constantly feel overwhelmed, 38 percent experience frequent mental exhaustion, and 29 percent report overwhelming anxiety. To combat this issue, we propose conducting a comprehensive survey across all city schools and collegiate female sports teams within Jefferson County to assess their understanding of mental health and knowledge of available resources for seeking help. Following the survey, we will provide each school with essential mental health resources and organize meetings with coaches to collaboratively brainstorm and implement strategies to support the mental well-being of female athletes, aiming to create a positive impact in the female athlete community.

The Specific Outcomes will be:

• Increase awareness of mental health among female athletes in Birmingham schools and colleges.

• Improve mental health literacy, enabling female athletes to recognize signs of distress and seek appropriate help.

• Establish a network of resources and support for female athletes dealing with mental health challenges.

• Foster a collaborative community of coaches, educators, and mental health professionals committed to addressing mental health among female athletes.