Beyond May: Why Mental Health in Sports Needs to Stay Front and Center
- Brock Sawyer
- May 27
- 2 min read
As May winds down and Mental Health Awareness Month closes, many organizations will pack up their green ribbons and campaign banners, ready to move on to the next initiative. But here at Vision Sporting Goods, we believe something different: the conversation on mental health doesn’t end just because the calendar flips.
It’s a conversation we need every month, every season, every day.
The Mental Game: More Than X’s and O’s
In sports, we talk endlessly about physical training: speed drills, strength conditioning, endurance work. We fine-tune gear, practice plays, and sharpen strategies.
But what about the mental game?
Too often, athletes are taught to “tough it out” — to silence anxiety, push past burnout, hide depression, and keep moving. Coaches are expected to carry the emotional weight of an entire team while still delivering wins. Parents balance supporting their young athletes without always seeing the invisible battles their kids face.
Here’s the truth: ignoring mental health doesn’t make it go away.
It just buries the struggles deeper.
What We’ve Learned This Month
Throughout Mental Health Awareness Month, we’ve reflected on key themes with our Vision Sporting Goods family:
✅ Resilience is built, not born.
✅ Checking in is stronger than checking out.
✅ Teams thrive when they create safe spaces for honesty and vulnerability.
✅ A healthy mind fuels a stronger body and a longer-lasting passion for the game.
We’ve seen stories of athletes overcoming injury and burnout, of coaches stepping up to prioritize wellness, and of parents advocating for their children’s emotional health. These stories shouldn’t just be May features — they should shape the way we lead, play, and support every day.
What Comes Next: Purpose Beyond the Game
At Vision Sporting Goods, we talk a lot about Purpose Beyond the Game — and mental health is at the core of that purpose.
Why?
Because we don’t just supply uniforms and equipment.
We invest in people.
We stand with teams.
We champion a culture where athletes are valued not just for their performance, but for who they are as whole people.
As we close this month, we invite you to commit with us:
Check in on your teammates.
Prioritize rest and recovery, mentally and physically.
Speak up when things feel heavy.
Champion mental health conversations year-round.
The best teams know: strength isn’t measured just in pounds lifted or points scored. It’s measured in how we show up for each other — on and off the field.
Thank You for Walking With Us
We want to thank every athlete, coach, parent, and partner who has walked this journey with us throughout May. You are part of a movement that is changing the face of sports — from a culture of silence and stigma to a culture of courage, compassion, and connection.
Let’s keep this going.
Not just this month. Not just this season.
Every day. Every game. Every life.
Together, we are stronger.
Together, we thrive.
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