This 2-part discussion on the need for coaches to take care of their own mental health is based on the IWLCA Blog (Behind The Whistle): ‘Dark Times and Bright Futures’
By Remington Steele, Head Coach, Bucknell University Women’s Lacrosse Team. Joining Remi is Eliza Kelly, Head Coach, University of Denver Women’s Lacrosse Team.

The full article can be found here: https://iwlca.wordpress.com/2018/12/05/dark-times-and-bright-futures/

Here are some excerpts from the article:

“I really shouldn’t be here right now. I shouldn’t be sitting in this office. I shouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet such amazing people. I shouldn’t have been able to represent my country or play college lacrosse (or even high school lacrosse, for that matter). I shouldn’t have been able to travel the world, or experience world cups. I shouldn’t have this incredible life, filled with opportunity, joy, and reward. And I owe it all to this sport, that was never supposed to be a part of my life. This is what I know, and what I truly believe… but the mind doesn’t always work the way it’s supposed to…
…I didn’t give these warning signs the attention they deserved, instead I chose to ignore them, pushing these dark thoughts further towards the back of my mind, hoping they would disappear. At first it worked, they would disappear, for a day, a week, a month, before something would shoot them back to the forefront of my mind, hitting me harder than ever before. Around my fourth year of coaching, my second year in Division I, the depression and anxiety stopped going away. It was hitting harder and more frequently than ever…
…I finally got help. I started talking to our department’s sports psychologist, and he helped me put things into perspective and become motivated in a more positive and less stressful way. I saw a doctor and got on medication for my anxiety. I started making more time for friends and trying to do things that I enjoy outside of lacrosse, and I changed my approach to coaching and interacting with the players…
…So why did I write this article?...Coaching can make you feel like you are on an island, but it doesn’t have to. If you are having these issues: reach out to friends and colleagues, use your departmental resources, talk to a doctor, whatever you are comfortable with is fine… just do something, don’t suffer when you don’t have to. We have the most amazing job in the world – you deserve to enjoy it!