When it comes to sports, physical health is usually the main focus, like staying in shape or preventing injuries. But there is a whole other part to staying healthy, the mental game. The mental aspect of sports is hard to see, and is something that doesn’t get talked about a lot. This season Norwalk girls lacrosse is trying to change that.
Partnering with the Hidden Opponent and Alexandra Philipp (’27), a NHS Hidden Opponent ambassador, they plan to make sure mental health is noticed. Philipp said the mission of the Hidden Opponent is “To break the stigma around mental health in sports and make it okay for athletes to ask for help. It reminds people that even strong, successful athletes can struggle too.” The partnership began when Head Girls Lacrosse coach Lynette Martinez, who is a very active supporter of athletes Mental health, approached Philipp. “Martinez told me that she wanted to do a mental health awareness game for lacrosse. Which then bloomed into me being assigned to design a shirt that the team would wear every Friday to help spread awareness,” says Phillip.
Now every Friday, Norwalk girls lacrosse wear those t-shirts to school, and they have the Hidden Opponent game on May 7th at home vs Danbury. They hope that this raises awareness as people around school will ask about their shirts and what they mean, so the lacrosse girls can share their message. “The message I hope my players and our fans take from these Fridays and our Hidden Opponent Game is that everyone is worth more than their stats or whatever accomplishments they achieve” Says head high school lacrosse coach, Lynette Martinez.
Not only does the girls lacrosse team try to spread awareness they also work on mental health within the team. Coach Martinez takes it to a personal level and makes sure to regularly check in on each player, having one on one conversations about their season so far, mentally and physically.
As you can see mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to being an athlete and without the proper support many athletes struggle. Being a good athlete doesn’t matter when you can’t compete because of a mental block, and what makes it worse is the stigma around mental health in sports. There is a stereotype that having mental health issues as an athlete shows you being weak or emotional so high school athletes stay silent in fear of getting the same labels. With this mission both the lacrosse team and the Hidden Opponent club hope to spread the message that it is absolutely necessary and okay to ask for help when you’re struggling with the mental side of being an athlete.
If you want to help get involved “Students can join the club or simply support the message by talking openly about mental health. Even small actions, like checking in on a friend, make a difference.” says Philipp. Contact Alexandra Philipp at [email protected].
