Beyond the Court: How One Oakland Athlete Navigates Her Mental Heath

Lillian Frias attacks at the net against Northern Kentucky at the OU Credit Union O’rena. (Photo courtesy of Ceejee Round, used with permission.)

The gym is filled with noise, but for one Oakland University volleyball player, the loudest sound isn't the fans or the whistle blowing, it's her own mind.

Moments before warmups, she stands still, trying to settle her thoughts. To her teammates, she looks focused and ready, making jokes and laughing with her teammates who are also her best friends, but internally, she’s replaying every mistake from the last game, questioning her worth and battling depression.

For many student-athletes, the mental side of competition can be just as demanding as the physical. Balancing academics, athletics, a social life and expectations, athletes at Oakland University are navigating pressures that often go unseen.

While fans and spectators see stats, awards and success, behind closed doors many athletes are managing anxiety, self-doubt, and the constant expectation to succeed in their sport.

“People assume we’re always confident and mentally tough,” Oakland Volleyball player Lillian Frias said. “But a lot of us deal with anxiety or self-doubt. We just don’t always show it because we are scared to be seen differently.”.

That pressure is especially intense during the competitive season, when every performance feels magnified.

“One bad game can stick with you longer than it should,” she said. “It’s hard not to overthink every mistake and it sometimes has taken over my entire life.”

This internal pressure is something leaders within athletics are increasingly recognizing. According to the NCAA, student-athletes have reported rising levels of stress and mental health concerns in recent years. Suicide rates have also increased over time.

“Student-athletes today are balancing more than ever before,” said Steve Waterfield, Athletic Director of Oakland University Athletics. “It’s not just their sport, it’s academics, social pressures, and expectations they often put on themselves. Mental health has become just as important as physical health.”

Despite growing awareness, many athletes still struggle in silence.

“There have been times where I can barely even get out of bed,” Frias said. “It can feel isolating, especially when you think you’re the only one dealing with it.”

Part of that isolation comes from the identity athletes build around their sport. Something that can be difficult to separate from their sense of self.

“From the outside, people see success,” Waterfield said. “What they don’t always see is the pressure to perform or how much athletes tie their identity to their sport. When that’s challenged, it can take a real toll.”

In response, Oakland Athletics has worked to expand mental health resources and foster a more supportive environment for student-athletes. Access to counseling services and an emphasis on open communication are key parts of that effort.

“We want athletes to feel comfortable asking for help,” Waterfield said. “You are never alone and we want our student-athletes to feel seen, heard and supported”.

In addition to administrative support, Oakland athletes also have access to mental health professionals like Dr. Hydeen K. Beverly, who works closely with student-athletes as a resource for both mental performance and overall well-being.

His role is to help athletes navigate the pressures of competition while also maintaining a healthy sense of identity beyond their sport.

“We want athletes to understand that their value extends far beyond their performance,” Beverly said. “Creating a space where they feel comfortable talking about their struggles is essential to both their development as athletes and as individuals.”

Still, for many athletes, the most immediate support comes from those around them every day.

“Talking to my teammates and being around them helps a lot,” Frias said. “Once you open up, you realize other people are going through similar things and you can kind of lean on each other.”

Building routines and finding ways to step away from the sport have also become important strategies.

“I’ve started journaling and just taking time for myself outside of volleyball,” she said. “It helps me stay grounded and not get caught up in everything.”

As conversations around mental health continue to grow, so does the understanding that strength in athletics goes beyond performance.

“The biggest thing I've had to learn is that my worth isn’t defined by how I play,” Frias said. “That’s something I’m still working on, but it’s made a big difference.”

Back in the gym, the noise hasn’t disappeared, but it has become more manageable.

For today’s athletes, the game is no longer just about physical performance. It’s also about learning how to navigate the mental challenges that come with it, and finding strength in doing so.