A Little Bit About Me
My name is Kadyn Osborne! I am a journalism major at the University of Alaska, Anchorage graduating in May of 2025. I was born and raised in Anchorage with my four siblings, mom, and dad. Our family is all about sports, so I have always had a passion for athletics. I have been involved in sports since I was four years old. Baseball, running, basketball, flag football, soccer, you name it! After playing volleyball for more than ten years, I am on my final season here at UAA. ​
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I am so excited to be sharing the journey of my senior project with you all. I want to raise awareness for the mental health of student athletes here at UAA, and give them the opportunity to tell their story. Each podcast episode will be about different obstacles these athletes have had to overcome. Why did I choose to pursue this topic? I want student athletes to know they are NEVER alone.
Want to learn more about my why? Click this link and scroll to "introduction"
Mental illnesses can be acute or chronic and are diagnosable conditions that affect an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and often their behavior. These conditions include depression, anxiety, and mood or personality disorders, among others.​
Discussing mental health helps to reduce the stigma and discrimination that can surround mental illness and seeking treatment. Talking openly about mental health can encourage people who are suffering to seek help and find a support network. In Alaska, it is especially important to stick together as a community and support one another.
Importance of Acknowledging Mental Health
Mental Health In Alaska
Alaska has the highest rate of suicide per capita in the United States. Alaskans are at a higher risk to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). In a study done with a sample of 283 random participants in Fairbanks, 9.2% of the subjects met diagnostic criteria for seasonal affective disorder.
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Nationally, about 30 million Americans will be diagnosed with an eating disorder at some point in their lives — including more than 60,000 Alaskans. In 2021, Alaska reported an increase in the rate of emergency visits among adolescents ages 15-24 where eating disorders were identified as a factor, compared to 2019. See photos for more statistics.
Statistics courtesy of the University of Maryland Athletics
According to the NCAA, over 30% of athletes struggle with their mental health. In 2021, the American College of Sports Medicine found that around 30% of female and 25% of male student-athletes reported having anxiety. It also found that about 35% of elite athletes suffer from disordered eating, burnout, depression, and/or anxiety.
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The National Institute of Health says within student-athletes, 22.3% were at risk for depression, 12.5% anxiety, and 8% low self-esteem. Insomnia is common among athletes, especially before competitions, during intense training, and after long travel. Sleep disturbances can negatively impact an athlete's performance in a number of ways.
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Many athletes ignore signs of mental health disorders or choose not to seek help. This may be do to stigma and pressure within athletic environments.