The University of Stirling may be Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, but many student athletes say the pressure to balance performance with academic demands is a very fine line that sometimes feels impossible to balance.
New data gathered by Brig reveals there is truth behind the worries of Stirling’s student athletes. Fortunately, the facts also show help is available, yet a pattern reveals it remains just out of reach for too many of them.
The Psychology
Dr Robert Morris, lecturer in Sport Psychology at the University of Stirling, says the demands placed on student athletes often come from multiple directions at the same time.
“Many student-athletes face the dual challenge of balancing academic expectations with the demands of high-level sport,” he told Brig.
Time pressure, fear of failure and injury worries are among the most common pressures he sees. Even maintaining friendships outside of sport, he said, can become unexpectedly difficult. Morris added that athletic identity- often a source of strength for many- can become a burden.
“A strong athletic identity can be both protective and risky. Difficulties arise when self-worth becomes overly tied to sporting outcomes,” he explained.
This pressure can lead to spikes in anxiety, low mood after setbacks, and difficulty coping with downtime or injury. And even when students see the value of professional help, accessing it isn’t always straightforward.
“Barriers often include stigma, concerns about confidentiality — especially within small sporting communities — lack of time, and uncertainty about what support is available.”
What Stirling Athletes Told Us
A Brig survey of 19 student athletes suggests these concerns are widespread. 63 per cent said they had delayed or avoided using university mental-health services, even when they felt they needed support. Only 5 out of 19 said they felt they had access to sufficient, sport-relevant support. The majority selected “no” or “sometimes”.
One athlete described the pressures they face as a “a mix of injuries, general health problems and personal expectations from myself and others.”
Another respondent said the culture around performance makes it difficult to be honest:
“Most of us don’t really talk about mental health in sport. You just get on with it. It leaves you feeling like you can’t fall behind in anything.”
Others said the challenge isn’t a lack of support it’s not knowing how to access it when things get too much.
“We’re told the support is there, but you don’t always know who to go to.”
Together, the responses show us support is known but a lot feel it isn’t accessible to them.
University and Students’ Union Response
A University of Stirling spokesperson said supporting athlete wellbeing is a central priority: “Here at the University of Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – we prioritise the health and wellbeing of our community, including our student-athletes.
“We work closely with Student Support Services, the Students’ Union and sector partners, including sportscotland, to ensure our student-athletes receive comprehensive support as they balance their studies with training and competition.”
The Students’ Union echoed the importance of making support visible and accessible.
A spokesperson told Brig: “We work closely with the Sports Development team, Student Support Services and, most importantly, club committees and Welfare Officers to assist and support them in the delivery of their sport.
“We run regular sessions, drop-ins and forums to share information, guidance and to listen to the needs of our members.”
Progression
Dr Morris says real progress will come when mental wellbeing becomes part of the everyday sporting environment not something accessed when things get too much.
Visible leadership from coaches, more peer-led initiatives, and embedding wellbeing professionals directly into sporting spaces could help bridge the gap student-athletes are describing.
Why This Matters for All Students
Mental health in sport isn’t limited to elite scholarship athletes. Stirling has hundreds of recreational players, club members and beginners who juggle sport with part-time jobs, deadlines and personal pressures.
Accessible support clearly signposted, easy to reach and tailored to the reality of student life is essential for keeping university sport inclusive rather than intimidating.
Featured Image Credit:University of Stirling
