# @thehiddenopponent on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C4WvZvaRZLa
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/21563667-thehiddenopponent-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/a3d72459f0.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-03-11T01:21:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Hidden Opponent ©️ (@thehiddenopponent) — https://gondola.cc/thehiddenopponent

## Caption

Earlier this week, the Democrat and Chronicle posted an article highlighting catielang’s story regarding her time as a student-athlete at Colgate. Our Medical Director, Dr. T, was interviewed in the article.

We met with Dr. T and asked him: How do we prevent these kinds of situations from happening in the future? 

Here’s what he said: 

“There is a lot of awareness regarding mental health but we are still lacking with respect to education and appropriate resources. 

Educating coaches and admin staff how to more effectively communicate and motivate student athletes is necessary to ensure they feel safe and valued. By prioritizing them as people first (with thoughts, emotions and responses to their environment), we can actually inspire them to be more resilient and work through the pressures of college athletics knowing they have the support they need. This is a more sustainable recipe to win championships. 

As an athlete, especially in a team sport, you are willing to take chances and put yourself in vulnerable situations on the field when you trust your team has your back. That’s when iconic defining moments occur. 

If you play out of fear, you are more hesitant, less effective and more likely to struggle physically and mentally. 

Coaches also need better resources and support to help them better navigate the pressures they face. They’re also human and the human condition is extremely vulnerable to stress without support or solution.”

What are your thoughts on this issue? Let us know in the comments below! 

#thehiddenopponent #drt #mindset #athletementalhealth #collegevolleyball #volleyball #lacrosse #lax #womenslacrosse #mentalhealthawareness

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- **Likes:** 617
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## Tags

lax, lacrosse, thehiddenopponent, womenslacrosse, mentalhealthawareness, drt, athletementalhealth, collegevolleyball, volleyball, mindset

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