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Team Sidelined

A podcast launched to support the mental game of sidelined student-athletes, brought to you by Sidelined USA. Whether you’re an athlete facing a temporary obstacle or are permanently sidelined, you’ll find specific, relevant support from others with intimate knowledge of the unique challenges you face. Visit www.SidelinedUSA.org for more resources.

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Depression: Getting Help or Concerned for a Friend

January 05, 2021 • Sidelined USA • Season 1 • Episode 6

Following up on our last full episode, Getting Real About Depression: Four Athletes Discuss Pressures, Identity, & Purpose, we asked Northwestern University’s sports psychiatrist, Bettina Frankel to join us to discuss some lingering questions. In this quick 30 minute episode, Dr. Frankel addresses some of the basics surrounding the athlete experience with depression:

How to distinguish if it may be time to seek professional help
Who to reach out to if you’re struggling
How to talk to a friend/teammate you are concerned about
Concerns about medications affecting athletic performance
Perspective on the internal pressure a lot of athletes feel to “handle things” on their own

An important episode for athletes and those working with athletes so that we can all be better prepared to support mental health in ourselves and on our teams. Take a listen and share this episode with your team! You never know who could be in need of this very important information!

Looking for more resources or the online screening Dr. Frankel mentions in this episode? Check out Sidelined USA's online Mental Health Support Resource Page.