Recognizing Depression in Swimmers: A Coach’s Guide

Some swimmers seem fine on the surface but are quietly struggling in ways that are easy to overlook. For example, a swimmer who seems low energy, withdrawn, or less motivated may be labeled as lazy, uncommitted, or difficult. In reality, they may be dealing with something much deeper. Even at the highest levels of the sport, Olympians like Drew Kibler and Paige Madden have spoken openly about struggling beneath the surface. Check out their stories here!

Coaches are often the first to notice changes in their athletes’ mental health. Athletes frequently identify their coaches as a key source of support during times of distress. ^{1, 2} However, many coaches feel unsure of what to do when this happens or worry that they may be overstepping. ³ The good news is that coaches don’t need to be experts in mental health to make an impact with depressed athletes. Simply recognizing the signs early and responding with care can help swimmers stay connected to their training, well-being, and progress.

What is Depression?

Depression is more than having a bad day, feeling down, or experiencing post-practice or race fatigue. It is a negative emotional state that can range from unhappiness and discontent to deep feelings of sadness and hopelessness, affecting daily life.⁴ This may include changes in energy, disrupted sleep patterns, difficulty with concentration, and diminished social engagement.⁴ Depression isn’t something a swimmer can just “shake off.” Its effects are rooted in real, physical changes within the brain’s systems, making it a genuine medical condition rather than a matter of choice. ⁵

For swimmers, changes can appear both in and out of the water. Swimming naturally offers powerful mental and physical benefits, such as stress reduction and improved mood, ⁶ which is why it’s often considered to be one of the most valuable skills a person can develop. However, these benefits don’t make swimmers immune to depression. In fact, the connection between swimming and mental health is much more complex. You can explore how swimming affects mental health further here: How Does Swimming Affect YOUR Mental Health?

Signs a Swimmer May be Struggling

When a swimmer is struggling with symptoms of depression, it often shows up in the water before it comes up in conversation. Signs can be subtle and vary from person to person, ⁶ but common indicators may include: ^{6, 7, 8, 9} (FIX THESE)

• Diminished effort or engagement
• Low energy or persistent fatigue
• Withdrawal from the team 
• Changes in concentration, motivation, or confidence
• Irritability or moodiness
• Feelings of failure 
• Loss of interest in their goals

Why Swimmers Don’t Speak Up?

For many athletes, the stigma surrounding mental health leads them to perceive their challenges as weaknesses that must be hidden from others (i.e., coaches, teammates, family, friends). ² In high-performance environments, where discipline and toughness are emphasized, it can feel especially risky to admit they’re struggling. ² This is why a good, supportive coaching environment is so important. 

What Coaches Can Do?

1. Create a supportive environment: Normalize conversations around mental health. It can be difficult at times, but when an athlete understands that it’s okay to struggle, they are more likely to open up. ⁷ Establishing a “we” culture where the team supports one another can reduce the stigma and feelings of isolation. ¹⁰
2. Stay consistent: Consistency builds safety. Regular check-ins, both privately and as a team, can go a long way. ^{2, 3} Even if a swimmer takes time off to rest and recover, continuing to check in helps them feel supported and maintains a connection to both you and the team. Isolation often makes depression worse. Encourage swimmers to stay involved with the team, even in small ways. Connection can be more important than performance during difficult periods. ¹⁰
3. Help maintain balance: Promote a healthy swim-life balance. Many athletes are juggling academics, relationships, and other responsibilities in their personal lives alongside their sport. Encouraging rest, recovery, and interests outside of the pool can be protective for mental health. ^3,7
4. Set healthy expectations and lower pressure when needed: During periods of struggle, maintaining rigid performance expectations can increase stress. The pressure to consistently perform and achieve success can intensify mental distress, making it difficult to cope. ¹⁰ Temporary flexibility, without removing structure, can help athletes stay engaged rather than withdraw. 
5. Provide mental health resources: Coaches are not expected to treat their athletes’ problems, nor should they. One of the most important roles a coach can play is guiding athletes toward appropriate support. Try suggesting working with a mental health professional!

The most effective coaching approach is simple: be consistent, empathetic, and supportive. 

Final Takeaway:

Helping a swimmer through depression is not separate from helping them get faster. When coaches notice the signs early, maintain steady communication, and keep swimmers connected, they create an environment where athletes can continue to grow. A coach cannot fix depression, but they can offer something just as important: a safe space and support that values the swimmer beyond their performance. Sometimes, the most powerful thing a coach can do is not to push harder, but to notice, care, and respond with compassion.

By: Aleia Campbell, MS

Sources

1. Lacke, S. (2021, July 7). What coaches need to know about mental health. Triathlete. https://www.triathlete.com/training/what-coaches-need-to-know-about-mental-health/ 
2. Bissett, J. E., & Tamminen, K. A. (2022). Student-athlete disclosures of psychological distress: Exploring the experiences of university coaches and athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 34(2), 363–383. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2020.1753263  
3. Sankey, C., Wallace, L., & Caperchione, C. M. (2023). Understanding the role of coaches in supporting the mental health of elite athletes. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 26(8), 399–404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.06.012 
4. American Psychological Association. (2018, April 19). Apa Dictionary of Psychology. https://dictionary.apa.org/depression
5. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2026, March 13). Depression (major depressive disorder): Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007 
6. Sumartana, I. M., & Setiaji, Y. (2025). The physical and mental health benefits of swimming: enhancing fitness, relaxation, endurance, and overall well-being. Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (JIMS), 1(2), 88-100. 
7. Uszaki, D. W. (2024, September 10). Helping Coaches Assist Student-Athletes with their Mental Health. NFHS. https://nfhs.org/stories/helping-coaches-assist-student-athletes-with-their-mental-health
8. Frost, J., Purcell, R., Rice, S. M., Tamminen, K., Gouttebarge, V., Adams, W. M., & Walton, C. C. (2026). Mental health literacy in elite-level coaches: Recognition and management of depression and burnout. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2025.2589723  
9. Baron, D. A., Baron, S. H., Tompkins, J., & Polat, A. (2013). Assessing and treating depression in athletes. In Clinical sports psychiatry (pp. 65–78). Wiley-Blackwell. 
10. Simoni J. M. (2022). Best Practices for Coaching an Athlete With Mental Health Concerns. Sports health, 14(4), 530–531. https://doi.org/10.1177/19417381221091794