Sidelined Athlete Support: Guidance for Parents of Sidelined Athletes

We understand how difficult this can be for not only your athlete but also you as well. Your athlete may or may not be opening up about what they’re feeling. They may be resistant to help. They may be isolating or turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms. So what can you do to break through and provide the best possible support as they go through this difficult transition? Today’s podcast guests can speak to this topic both professionally and personally. In this episode, a parent of a permanently-sidelined athlete interviews two sports psychologists who personally experienced a medical disqualification themselves. Listen in to glean insights from others who know first hand the challenges of helping a young person through the transition following a medically-forced exit from sport.

* Valuable insights for all members of the sidelined athlete support network:  spouses, athletic trainers, coaches, as well! 

Show Notes:
(1:50) Guest intros
(10:25) The sidelined athlete experience
(13:45) Advice for parents helping their son/daughter through this transition

The processTiming of therapeutic help Triggering pointsOutward signs of inner turmoil

(17:30) Helping the athlete through the grief process

Questions to ask athletesImportance of being a non-biased participant in grief processUnderstanding the purpose of emotionsWhat true empathy looks likeAvoiding “silver lining statements”Why denial isn’t “all bad” Why suggesting your own ideas may not be preferredImportance of  “when the time is right”Offering an anchor of hope & confidence

(27:20) How parents can help alleviate the severity of identity loss

Key questions to askIdentifying how values play into their identity Bringing the “athlete mentality” into whatever’s nextTransitioning from reckoning/grief to “reinvention” phaseThe value of finding a professional for the athlete to talk toTips for finding a sports psychologist

(37:11) Tips for getting the athlete to open up

Talk with them while they are moving/activeOpen-ended questionsEngaging again down the roadRemind them that it’s a process and they can talk to you at any timeAcknowledging they may prefer opening up to someone else

(42:22) The decision to stay involved with the team or not

What serves the athlete best? How can the athlete stay connected to the people most important to the them? Trusting the instincts of the athlete Working through the pros and cons with the athlete The crux of the decision 

(49:15) Unhealthy coping mechanisms/strategies to watch out for 

Substance abuse / numbing out Reckless behaviorsHelping the athlete identify healthy ways to take a break from their hurtIsolationPay attention to the duration of symptoms Depression symptomsUnbalanced reliance on romantic partner

(56:00) Conclusion/Wrap up

Empathy as a learned skill 

Additional Resources: 

Finding a sports psychologist (as mentioned by Kelsey): 

PsychologyToday.comAssociation for Applied Sport Psychology

Sidelined USA resources:

“Meaningful support” articles Sidelined Stories podcast