Student athletes are often exposed to pressures that affect healthy eating and body image. Many are subjected to both internal and external appearance demands and a performance drive for thinness, leanness, and gender norms.  This is prominent in (but not limited to) sports with appearance and form judging, such as gymnastics, figure skating, and diving, as well as weight class sports such as wrestling and light-weight rowing.

Teammates often turn to one another for support in times of trouble. If a teammate has come to you, consider it a sign of trust and strength. Many people struggle in finding the most appropriate way to respond. Below are some tips:

Coaches Corner

Men Get Depressed Too

Depression is a serious but highly treatable medical condition that can strike anyone regardless of age, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, or gender. However, depression often goes unrecognized by those who have it, by their families and friends, and even by their physicians. Men, in particular, may be unlikely to acknowledge they have depressive symptoms and seek support. However, depression is common in men and is not a sign of personal weakness or a flaw in character.

Your transition to the University of Michigan can be a rewarding and challenging time.  From campus life, to academic schedules, to housing options- coming to Michigan is full of growth opportunities.

Responsibility. Veterans know a thing or two about responsibility— from saving lives, to serving in combat, to serving as reservists, to working as a team— to being University of Michigan students.

Many student veterans come to U-M with these specific responsibilities:

Suicide is often described as that moment when an individual believes their pain exceeds the resources available. 

Nearly 35% of University of Michigan students surveyed say they think about suicide to some degree.  On a national scale, the number of lives lost to suicide is climbing, especially among our veterans and service personnel.  According to published reports, more veterans have died by suicide than those killed serving in Afghanistan.

For some student veterans, attending the University of Michigan as members of an underrepresented community can be stressful.  At times, student veterans may experience a loss of identity, loss of community, and feelings of isolation.

Others student vets have reported feeling misunderstood by professors, graduate student instructors, and other students.  As a result, student veterans might find it difficult to understand, interact, and connect with U-M peers— who may be younger and have different experiences, beliefs and/or values.  

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

We’ve all heard this, but what does it really mean? And what does it mean to you, the student veteran?