TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Paige Bueckers, Hailey Van Lith, and Azzi Fudd have each sought the help of a mental health professional at some point, seeking support to handle the rising pressures faced by college basketball players.

The pressures stem from high expectations, the attention from social media, sports bettors, the transfer portal, or the intense loneliness that can accompany injury rehabilitation. A significant change in today’s sports environment is the growing acceptance of seeking professional help and the reduced stigma around consulting psychologists.

“I’d say there’s been a noticeable increase in demand for services and in the number of student-athletes utilizing them,” said Ashley Harmon, director of Clinical Behavioral Health at Texas. “This generation is much more open to seeking mental health support. Athletes come in for help with anxiety, depression, relationships, and managing dynamics with coaches and teammates.”

Although the exact number of athletes consulting mental health professionals is unclear, many are openly discussing their experiences.

Coaches, teammates, and family members can be essential sources of support, but often additional help is needed, especially from someone not directly involved in the athletes’ everyday lives.

Bueckers and Fudd, both of whom have returned from season-ending injuries during their UConn careers, have credited sports psychologists with aiding their recovery.

“It’s a grounding space where you can talk without fear of judgment, a judgment-free zone, where you can discuss anything,” Bueckers explained. “It helps ease your nerves, calm you down, and allows you to focus on everything beyond the immediate moment, striving to be the best version of yourself.”

Rori Harmon: ‘Not something you can do alone’

Van Lith made the decision to seek help and prioritize her well-being after learning about the tragic story of Katie Meyer, the Stanford goalie who died by suicide in March 2022.

The TCU guard has invested in a sports psychologist who also serves as a general therapist for her.

“I think I’ve matured significantly,” Van Lith said. “I’m older now. When I faced many of my challenges, I was just 19, quite young, and I didn’t know how to handle many things.”

Van Lith began her career at Louisville, transferred to LSU, and eventually found her way to TCU.

Similar to the UConn backcourt, Texas guard Rori Harmon, who is not related to Ashley Harmon, also had to recover from a season-ending injury. Rori Harmon tore her ACL in December 2023.

“Rehab is very mentally exhausting,” she noted, adding that although she didn’t consult a sports psychologist, “it’s just not something you can manage on your own.”

Professional help can be a confidential space for the athletes

Ashley Harmon’s team at Texas addresses common issues like returning from injuries or overcoming mental blocks on the court. However, she noted that recently, there has been a focus on off-the-court issues.

UCLA star Lauren Betts, a 6-foot-7 center who led the Bruins to their first Final Four, has previously shared her mental health struggles.

“Mental health awareness seems to have increased with the rise of social media, political factors, and the impact of COVID, all intertwined,” said Ashley Harmon, who has been with Texas for nearly nine years.

Another growing stress factor is the transfer portal, where athletes find a safe space to discuss transferring schools.

“We offer a space for athletes to come before making any decisions,” she said. “The transfer portal is stressful, deciding whether to leave familiar surroundings to start anew.”

As more players seek professional help, some schools are expanding their services.

Ashley Harmon stated that she was the first full-time staffer in the Texas department. It has now grown to a team of eight or nine. UConn provides several mental health professionals, including counselors, mental health clinicians, and psychologists, for all its student-athletes.

Joe Whitney, who has been at Tennessee for over two decades overseeing Mental Training, mentioned that the school has a separate group dedicated to mental health, yet both groups collaborate closely. Whitney’s team offers additional support for on-court challenges.

“We were among the first to engage with a part-time mental health practitioner,” he said. “It’s crucial to have people dedicated to supporting student-athletes during times of stress and challenge.”

Consulting with a mental health professional also provides a confidential environment for athletes — spaces that can be scarce on college campuses.

“They are under the spotlight, with everyone aware of their actions and schedules because their lives are so hectic,” Ashley Harmon explained. “This is confidential, shielded from coaches, teammates, academics, and parents.”