One in four young adults between the ages of 18-24 has a diagnosable mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health.
But student athletes are far less likely to seek help than non-athletes, says a 2014 study done by a group called the Healthy Minds Network, which is run by a University of Michigan professor.
So with funding from the NCAA, the University of Michigan started a pilot program this fall to reduce the stigma around mental health for athletes.
That included videos about Michigan athletes who wrestled with depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
http://vimeo.com/106777370
http://vimeo.com/104990949
The school says 90% of its 900 athletes took part, and most of those student athletes said the information they received from the program was helpful.
Attendance was still pretty low at drop-in support group meetings held after the program, according to the University of Michigan Depression Center.
