COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) – For many college athletes, the game is more than just competition—it’s a lifestyle marked by sacrifice, pressure, and mental exhaustion.

According to the NCAA Student-Athlete Well-Being Study (Fall 2023–Spring 2024), 47% of female and 48% of male student-athletes reported feeling mentally exhausted during the school year. As student-athletes juggle academics, performance expectations, and personal challenges, the toll on their mental and emotional well-being is becoming more visible.

Athletes like Dayanara Figueroa, a sophomore goalkeeper, say that while the game brings clarity, it also comes with a cost.

“Oh, it’s a job… I step on that field and for 90 minutes, everything disappears… everything makes sense because it’s the game I’ve known my entire life,” said Figueroa.

Brooke Brantley, a transfer student from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta who plays center back, echoed similar sentiments about the unseen sacrifices.

“Throughout the summer, you’re training… you don’t just get to go and do whatever with your friends… that’s also a cost,” she shared.

Jayliyah Neff, a freshman from Augusta, Georgia (Greenbrier High School), plays center back and wing back. Along with Figueroa, she reflects on the emotional and time sacrifices athletes make.

“Athlete’s all about sacrifices… all the little sacrifices you make along the way give you a big result in the end,” said Neff.

The stories of these athletes highlight a deeper issue: mental health in sports is no longer a hidden concern—it’s a reality that’s shaping the student-athlete experience.

WALB’s Taylor Lewis will be following up with local coaches and athletic trainers to learn more about what mental health resources are available for student-athletes.

Stay tuned for updates in our later newscasts.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.