Mental illness is an extremely common and important issue among teenagers. Although sports and physical activity have tremendous mental health benefits, young athletes are not exempt from the ongoing mental health crisis.

In fact, some potential effects of being a competitive athlete, like perfectionism, external pressures to perform or severe injuries, may increase the risk of mental illness. Improving mental health and well-being can not only help make young athletes feel better, it can even have important benefits for performance and reducing illness and injury risk.

The single most important thing parents can do is create a safe environment for your child that promotes ongoing conversations about mental health.

Assure your child that they can tell you anything, without judgment. Recognize and communicate to your child that mental health is health. The goal is to normalize conversations about it. Bring up the topic of mental health yourself, and make yourself available when your child wants to talk.

Watch for symptoms of anxiety, which can include:

— Significant worries about things before they happen

— Constant concerns about family, school, friends or activities

— Fears of embarrassment or making mistakes

— Low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence

Some symptoms of depression can include:

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