When Sports Stop Being Fun: NFHS Pushes Mental Health Focus to Combat Burnout in High School Athletes

When did sports start to become less fun? Athletes sign up for a sport because of its fun factor. They get to move their bodies, learn new skills, and connect with others over their shared interests. High school and college athletes must juggle academics, training, relationships, and work—all while trying to have a social life and take time for self-care.

Sports become increasingly demanding as athletes age. This can outshine the excitement and joy, and is replaced with pressure to perform and do it all.  This can lead to burnout and negative effects on mental health.

“Student-athletes are balancing academics, practices, competitions, social expectations, and high personal standards,” said VJ Sarullo, athletic director of Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut, and vice-president of the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference. “While sports can be a powerful outlet and source of connection, they can also magnify stress if well-being is not prioritized.”

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is putting the spotlight on mental health for student athletes with the goal of returning the fun factor to sports this February.

Known as the leader and body that writes rules for high school sports in the U.S., the NFHS is openly talking about sports burnout and its related negative mental health effects. This includes decreased mood, anxiety, less enjoyment, and lower self-esteem.

“Further, evidence has suggested that early sport specialization before the ages of 13-15 does not appear to increase the likelihood for future athletic success. It appears that the opposite may in fact be true,” Dr.Brandonn Harris noted.

To combat this, the NFHS cites the importance of a coach’s role in developing mentally resilient athletes.

“When you teach young people how to manage pressure, face adversity, and support one another, you are not just building better athletes, you are building stronger human beings,” Missy Townsend, CMAA, said. “The scoreboard will always matter, but the greater score is measured in how our student-athletes grow – how they handle a loss, how they lift each other, and how they carry the lessons of sport into every aspect of their lives.”

Athletes and coaches are encouraged to check out resources and courses provided on the NFHS Learning Center to help find and present fun back in sports.

It’s important to speak out and self-advocate, remembering the reason why an athlete is competing in their loved sport. This will help them overcome mental roadblocks and boost performance.

“Athletic and activity programs are great ways to support student learning and test student limits,” Dr. Steve Amaro said. “When students are given time to practice how to appropriately communicate their messages, they are more likely to become positive contributors and better understand how their voice can affect both team and individual performance. Schools and programs that develop ways to promote student self-advocacy empower students to realize their voice can drive improvement and help everyone achieve their goals.”