Though the road ahead may still be fraught with uncertainty, I refuse to be silenced or sidelined by fear. I am a survivor, a warrior, a voice for those who have been silenced by shame and stigma. And as I continue to navigate the complexities of healing and recovery, I am reminded that my story is not defined by the darkness that once consumed me, but by the light of resilience, courage, and hope that shines within. And though the scars of my past may never fully fade, I ultimately emerged from the crucible of adversity stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever before.

After over a decade of volunteering and coaching lacrosse, from elementary to high school levels, I've witnessed firsthand how mental struggles can impact student athletes' passion, drive, and self-worth. Unfortunately, I've also seen a lack of mental support and resources available to help them overcome these challenges. As a coach and parent of multiple players, I've had a unique perspective on how many young student athletes struggle beyond the practices and games, and how most teams and coaches are not equipped with the resources and support to help them.

Hi, I'm Morgan Schneider, my story embodies being a student athlete with mental health struggles. My whole life I've been extremely outgoing but always had severe anxiety. This really hit hard in second semester my freshman year. I no longer cared about anyone or anything. I let go of my motivation and no longer wanted to be a part of the life I was living. The only thing getting me through second semester was soccer.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, “Approximately 30% of women and 25% of men who are student-athletes report having anxiety, and only 10% of all college athletes with known mental health conditions seek care from a mental health professional” (2021). The average high school soccer team has 20 players, meaning an average of six players will struggle with their mental health at some point. The average high school softball team is around 15 players, again meaning an average of four and a half players will have difficulties relating to their mental health. With statistics like that, it is hard as a coach to know that at any given point that many of your players can be struggling, some of them silently, with something that they can get help with but probably do not know how to ask for it.

Growing up as a student-athlete it is common to face struggles, it is part of life, right? I was taught that “rough patches along our journeys will continue to occur in our lives for as long as you live.” Although I always believed my “rough patch” would be a bad grade or a broken limb. I believed wrong. My battle is a mental challenge that is rapidly growing in our society today that many teens, including myself, lose themselves to.

Ever since I first started playing lacrosse I’ve had a love-hate relationship with it. There have been points in my life where I never wanted to pick up my stick again and points where I couldn't put it down. Though there were many times when quitting the sport I’ve played since first grade was at the forefront of my mind, my sport was still there for me. Lacrosse has been there for me more than any friend I’ve ever had. When all my relationships withered and I was at my lowest point, my sport stuck with me. If I wanted to play or not, I’ve always had an outlet, and I’ve always gone back to it. There are many things I have struggled with growing up as a student-athlete. From balancing academics, sports, family and friends, to having a healthy relationship with food and my body image.

I've learned that adversity doesn't define us; it refines us. It tests our limits, challenges our resilience, and forces us to dig deep and discover the strength we never knew we had. It's not about avoiding the storms but learning to dance in the rain, embracing the challenges, and growing stronger through the struggle. Most importantly my mom taught me how to always keep fighting, to Fight like Peggy.

“Are you falling out of love with your sport?” This question has ultimately led to multiple turning points throughout my life that have shaped the evolution of my character and the values which I hold tightly to today. My earliest memory of falling in love with a sport was when I was around 4 years old in gymnastics. I loved being able to compete in multiple events and constantly learning new skills and routines, I loved having a close-knit team that felt like a bunch of sisters, and I especially loved being able to show my elementary peers how long I could handstand.

It’s okay to not be okay. It’s how you fight that defines you. I chose to fight, and one day I will be back on the court playing. Even when it feels like there is nothing else left, like everything has gone wrong, it is important to remember that it will get better on the other side.

Growing up, my parents always told me I needed to find something I loved. For as long as I can remember, sports have always been that “something”. Playing sports was my escape from reality. That was until I became my own worst enemy.