The Iron Butterfly
Advancing Mental Health in Women's Sports
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Participants in women’s sports face a complex and unique set of pressures. This site can help you be better understand them, and ultimately grow and thrive.
The Iron Butterfly: A Symbol of the Modern Women’s Athlete
Borrowed from a term for strong southern women, the iron butterfly symbolizes female athletes that must balance charm and grace with grit and toughness
Women’s Sports By the Numbers
35%
report being mentally exhausted almost every day
29%
feel overwhelming anxiety
61%
considering a transfer due to mental health concerns
48%
would feel comfortable seeking support from a mental health provider
Statistics from a 2023 NCAA student-athlete well-being study (see link below)
“An NCAA Student-Athlete Well-Being study found women in sports experienced higher rates of anxiety, mental exhaustion and sadness compared to men.”
Scripps News, 2023
Top Related Resources
| Source | Article/Video |
|---|---|
| NCAA | Current Findings on Student-Athlete Mental Health |
| Women’s Health | Female College Athletes Are Facing A Mental Health Crisis—So Why Isn’t More Being Done? |
| Just Women’s Sports | NCAA Women Athletes Report More Mental Health Concerns than Male Peers |
| World Happiness Foundation | The Importance of Mental Health in Women’s Sports |
| Scripps News | Female Athletes Face More Pressure when Opening up about Mental Health |
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