Suicide rates in sport, a golf champion's reliance on religion and brain injuries

A new study reveals that suicide rates among US college athletes have doubled, whilst faith fires Scheffler to golfing glory (and we talk CTE, again): it's your latest dose of sport psychology news

"It's hard to look at footage of that match…because I can literally see in my eyes I'm suffering from a neurological injury decades in the making. It [ticks] me off when people see that and say, 'this is Ronda being outclassed'. That's me with my brain not properly working."

Another week, another athlete speaking admirably about the devastating impact of head injuries. Ronda Rousey’s words have already been poured over, but the ex-UFC champion’s recollection of her 2015 bout with Holly Holm is well worth another look.

The quote highlights the fear that many former fighters, who are increasingly familiar with the life-long implications of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), are now living with.

It also strikes a similar tone to the testimony provided by ex-rugby players, former (and current) footballers and a host of elite athletes, many of whom were - and in some cases, still are - playing sports ill-prepared for the fallout from repeated concussions.

There’s more on that topic in this week’s news round-up, but before we get to that, a quick reminder about the Mind Room Q&A, which gives Mind Room Members the chance to ask me the sport psychology questions you’re looking to answer.

There are no strict parameters for putting forward queries: it can be anything on what’s going on in the industry, requests for help with a professional problem or another challenge you’re looking for help with. I’ll then go away over the next three weeks, speak to a range of different contacts and pull together some answers, which I’ll publish in the next Q&A bulletin a month from now (as per this piece examining sport psychology’s influence on scheduling).

Here are a couple of examples of questions that readers asked in a previous session, which might provide some food for thought:

I am currently a young sport psychology consultant in training. I am curious to hear your thoughts surrounding what I can and cannot do in terms of consulting and coaching while still completing my masters degree. My school has strict limits on us working with individuals and teams. I am finding it difficult to balance patience with wanting to learn and apply my skills. Any insight would be much appreciated!

Are there any articles which I can share with my players that home in on maturity development and mindset (with regards to seeing their development in more of an objective light)?

If that’s piqued your interest in submitting a question, just email mindroomenquiries@gmail.com or leave a comment at the bottom of this post.