For student-athletes, June means exams, playoffs, and planning for the next step - all at once. The stress isn't just about managing time; it's about managing identity.
Many student-athletes find themselves caught in the perfect storm: finals in the classroom, playoffs, and looming decisions about what’s next. It's a time when they’re expected to perform, plan, and persevere - all while maintaining their identity as more than just an athlete.
For coaches, this pressure-packed month is more than just a logistical headache. It’s a key opportunity to check in, connect, and guide athletes through the crunch with tools that reinforce both performance and well-being.
Why This Time Is So Hard on Student-Athletes
Today’s student-athletes are not just balancing a schedule - they’re carrying the weight of identity, expectation, and uncertainty. When sport, school, and social life all demand peak performance, many athletes struggle to hold onto a sense of self beyond their jersey number.
This identity strain shows up in real, measurable ways:
Emotional Exhaustion & Burnout
Burnout isn’t just about being tired - it’s emotional depletion that leaves athletes feeling disconnected from the game they once loved. Nearly 1 in 4 athletes report experiencing burnout, especially during the off-season when structure fades but expectations remain. Elite athletes are particularly vulnerable.
Performance Anxiety & Pressure
The pressure to constantly prove oneself - on the field and in the classroom - can create a silent, internal panic. 45% of athletes experience performance anxiety ahead of major competitions. What’s often overlooked is that this stress doesn’t disappear in the off-season - it lingers, compounding as they try to reset without truly resting.
Anxiety, Depression & Mental Fatigue
Almost 1 in 4 athletes report symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder during the off-season - a time that’s supposed to offer rest, but often triggers uncertainty about roles, identity, and future goals.
Loss of Identity & Social Isolation
Without the structure of games, practices, and team routines, many athletes report a sense of isolation. The off-season can feel like a void - not just a break from competition, but a loss of camaraderie and connection. It’s not uncommon for athletes to feel like they’re “just an athlete,” with few tools or outlets to explore the rest of who they are.
Coaches: You Are the First Line of Support
HONE understands that most coaches didn’t enter their role to become mental health experts. But we also know that in high-pressure moments, athletes look to coaches first. Your words, presence, and approach have real power.
This is where the HONE platform becomes more than just a data tool - it becomes a check-in system that fosters real conversation and early intervention.
With weekly anonymous wellness surveys and insights curated by certified psychotherapists, HONE helps coaches:
- Spot early signs of stress and disengagement
- Start conversations about non-performance-related concerns
- Offer timely resources or referrals to help athletes prioritize effectively
- Reinforce athlete identity beyond sport through connection and support
How to Help Your Athletes Navigate the Crunch
Here are three practical ways coaches can support their team this June:
- Normalize the Pressure: Acknowledge that this time of year is intense and that it's okay to feel overwhelmed. Just hearing this from a trusted coach can release a lot of internal pressure.
- Use HONE for Consistent Check-In: Consistent, simple check-ins via the HONE platform give athletes a voice - even when they’re too busy or unsure how to express what’s going on.
- Promote Identity Beyond the Game: Help athletes see themselves as more than their sport. Praise their leadership, their resilience in school, their kindness to teammates. Highlighting their whole identity reinforces balance and long-term confidence.
The Takeaway: Performance Follows Well-Being
Athletes who feel seen and supported perform better - on and off the field. Coaches don’t need to have all the answers; they just need tools that keep them connected to their team.
HONE empowers coaches with those tools, creating a culture of care that turns time crunches into growth opportunities.
Let’s put mental wellness in the game - especially when it matters most.
Want to Learn More?
Book a free demo or explore how HONE can help your team navigate stress with purpose.
