Empowering Athletes to Build Resilience: Dr. Kirby’s Journey to Mental Health in Sport

• Dr. Jess Kirby is a professor and sports science enthusiast. She loves to teach and mentor young people to improve their well-being.
• She believes working for mental health is a privilege and an opportunity to provide a safe space, build trust, and empower people.
• Dr. Kirby suggests that to make progress in dismantling mental health stigma, there must be a commitment to fund mental health services and education programs.

1. Tell us about yourself. Why did you choose to pursue sports science?

My name is Dr. Jess Kirby. I live in Colorado in the USA. I am a professor at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, with over 15 years of experience in various teaching, research, and leadership roles. 

Initially drawn to medicine, I explored being a physician and nurse before discovering a fascination with prevention through healthy lifestyle choices. This led me to health sciences, and eventually, the joy of teaching and mentoring young adults in their personal and professional development.

With my PhD in Sport and Exercise Science, focusing on social psychology of sport and physical activity, and my master’s degree in Health Promotion, I have been able to combine my expertise in health and wellness and sport psychology. I strive now to create preventative mental wellness programs for college student-athletes to promote their well-being and optimize their potential.

My passion for sports and physical activity stems from my experience growing up playing various sports, especially volleyball. Witnessing my brother’s journey to becoming a National Football League player further solidified this passion. My early postgraduate research explored the experiences of older women (pre-Title IX) learning sports for the first time, and several years later I shifted to evaluating physical activity-based peer relationships to improve college student mental health. That work led me to combine these interests in sports and health promotion to develop comprehensive mental wellness and resilience education programs for college student-athletes.

2. What are the core values that have shaped your life?

My personal core values include hard work and a strong belief in finding workarounds. Whether facing personal challenges or advocating for my students, I push for solutions and believe that detours can still lead to success. 

Professionally, I prioritize authenticity and connection. Building strong relationships and fostering safe learning communities are paramount to me. I strive to reduce the power dynamic inherent in academia and create a space where diverse voices and perspectives are valued. This aligns with my role in health and wellness promotion. I believe in empowering students to manage stress and prioritize their well-being.

3. What advice would you give to students who are struggling with stress?

Combating stress among students requires a multi-pronged approach. First, balancing and choosing how much time you consume digitally. Screen time is directly correlated with our brain health. Limit screen time and prioritize unplugging. Nature, real-life interactions, and present-moment awareness are crucial for mental well-being.

Second, cultivate a positive mindset by practicing gratitude daily. Write down two or three things you are grateful for and display them as reminders on your mirror or wall. This simple act can significantly improve your outlook. 

Third, focus on the controllable. Focus on what you can influence and let go of what you cannot. This applies to both academic and athletic pressures and external negativity. 

Last, seek support. Do not hesitate to seek support when you are going through things that are hard to process or manage.

4. How does it feel to you to be someone working with mental health?

Working in mental health is a privilege. Witnessing people or athletes struggling can be emotionally demanding, but the opportunity to provide a safe space, build trust, and empower them with coping mechanisms is deeply rewarding.

It’s a role that requires constant self-care. Just like I teach my students, I prioritize sleep, exercise, social support, and rest to avoid emotional exhaustion. As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” self-care is essential for effectively supporting others. 

5. Is there tangible and real progress that we’ve made with mental health stigmas?

While we’ve seen positive shifts in reducing mental health stigma, particularly through social media and young people’s advocacy, the reality remains we still have a lot of work to do. Stigma reduction varies across cultures and individual backgrounds. While young people seem more comfortable discussing mental health, cultural layers can still exacerbate stigma.

Open conversations are crucial to dismantling stigma but tangible progress requires a shift beyond mere talk. The understaffed and underfunded state of college counseling centers across the U.S. exemplifies the gap between awareness and action. Focusing solely on reactive care and responding to crises, fails to address the root causes that lead young people to struggle in the first place. 

The “trending factor” surrounding mental health discussions across social media, while positive, often masks a lack of necessary policy and funding changes. We need a true commitment to adequately funding mental health services and prevention programs. Only then can we truly move the needle and create a world where mental health receives the proactive attention it deserves.

6. How do you combine mental health and sports to get positive results?

In sports psychology, we explore the two-way relationship between the sport environment and mental well-being of the athlete. For non-athletes, we encourage regular physical activity because it directly improves brain health. Exercise changes our brain structure. It increases brain tissue density and neural connections, boosting cognitive function. 

For athletes, they receive abundant physical activity. However, a pressure-filled sports environment can take a toll on their mental health. Social influences, performance expectations, and the constant drive to achieve can create significant mental strain.

Young athletes often tie a large part of their identity to their sport. Their self-worth often derives from their performance. This can be detrimental when setbacks occur which leads to feelings of failure and hopelessness.

Our role is to help athletes develop a broader sense of self. We guide them in visualizing their identity as a multifaceted pie chart, where athletic achievement is just one slice. By acknowledging and nurturing other passions, talents, and values, they can build a more resilient sense of self-worth that doesn’t solely rely on sports success.

7. What do you enjoy the most and the least about your work?

Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of my work is the human connection. Building relationships with students and athletes, witnessing their growth, and supporting them in their journey of self-discovery brings immense satisfaction. I encourage them to prioritize fulfillment and passion over solely chasing financial gain. After all, a significant portion of their adult lives will be spent in their chosen field. It should bring them joy.

The biggest hurdle I face is encountering resistance. When presented with a promising idea, I’m eager to take action and move forward. However, the bureaucratic nature of institutions can sometimes lead to delays and red tape. Navigating these obstacles can be frustrating, as my focus lies on implementing solutions that directly benefit people, not getting bogged down in paperwork.

Dr. Jess Kirby’s work demonstrates her commitment and passion to drive impact for individuals in sport through innovations in mental health and wellness education. She seeks to empower young people to overcome mental, physical, and social challenges to build resilience and achieve holistic well-being.