Mental Health Moments: Dr. Josie Nicholson, Ole Miss

Dr. Josie Nicholson is the Sports Psychologist for Ole Miss, as well as the host of our Unit3d podcast. Read more about her, here!

When you were choosing a career path, what drew you into the field of Sports Psychology?

Having been an athlete in college, I was drawn to sport psychology because of how I believe it would have helped me enjoy and get much more out of my time playing. I needed a place to explore my identity and deal with my “issues” and I just didn’t have that. The performance piece would have been great, but much of that for me would have been taken care of by addressing my mental health. 

I lived overseas for a couple of years and played for a soccer team in east London. We had a sport psychologist come work with our team and I was hit with the feeling that I had found my calling. When I returned to the US I pursued sport psychology with a passion wanting to help athletes get all that they want out of their time playing. 

How do you prioritize your mental health? How has COVID impacted mental health for you?

I have several things I have added in to my life as well as taken out of my life that supports my mental health. I am consistent in going to weekly therapy, regardless of whether I feel like I “need it” that week. I have committed to working out 5 times a week and making sure that at least 3 of those workouts are around other people and involve a social element. I journal. I accept that not all things I do will be amazing, and I aim to do what I can.

I have taken out gossip, complaining, unnecessary negativity (including people who are consistently negative) and judgmentalism. I have found when I don’t talk about others and I don’t judge, I am much kinder to myself. 

Covid has impacted my mental health as I have had to be creative in connecting with others, I’ve had to go out of my comfort zone to connect with others virtually, and I’ve learned to accept a different bar for quality standards in some of my work. I can’t produce at the same pace or level I produced before Covid, and I work to accept that as good enough. I work to celebrate wins more, as that reminds me I am doing what I can, and that is good enough.

Why do you think stigma exists, and what can we do to combat it?

Stigma exists at the core because of the fear we have of others’ opinions. As social beings love and belonging are basic needs. Because of this we fear rejection. We hide our perceived weaknesses and shortcomings. The historical narrative has been that there is glory to “toughness”. Think about the things we praise, particularly in athletes: “they always have a smile on their face.” We talk about victory stories of athletes who are injured and throughout rehab “never complain” and always stay positive. It’s a badge of honor to go through tough times and never show pain.

We want others to see us as independent and above distress. Also, people tend to avoid what makes them feel powerless. When others share pain and distress and there is nothing we can do to change it, sitting with it is uncomfortable. Many don’t understand mental illness and again, fear the unknown and unchangeable. Until we get real, share stories that include authentic emotions, and begin to praise honesty and being able to sit with others in pain, stigma will remain.

At what stages should someone seek professional help for their mental health?

I believe its helpful to seek professional help at any point. We all have areas of our lives, our selves, our relationships, etc. that we want to improve upon, so we don’t have to be sick to want to get better. The other standard that is helpful is to determine if anything related to your mental health is interfering with having the quality of day-to-day life as you want. If you begin to have more than occasional, fleeting thoughts of not wanting to wake up, engage with others, or not enjoying things you typically do, its time to make an appointment. 

As someone who works with student athletes, do you see a difference in the response and culture surrounding mental health and illness as to other students?

Mental illness in athletes has a stronger stigma around mental illness because of the importance of perceived strength and power that is valued in sports. Coaches control athletes’ playing time, role on the team, etc. so the fear that coaches will think less of athletes because of not being “mentally tough.” Some coaches are not educated about mental illness or how being mentally healthy contributes to mental toughness, so they send messages to athletes about mental illness as being weakness. This perpetuates the stigma more in athletes. 

What advice would you give a non-licensed person (coach, friend) that wants to help someone struggling with their mental health?

I would encourage everyone to share authentically about your own struggles without trying to tie it up with a nice bow to make others comfortable. (Instead of “I’m struggling, but it will be ok.” Say “I’m struggling.”). Also, listen openly. When someone shares with you that they are hurting, it is an honor to be trusted. DO NOT TRY TO FIX IT. Support means sitting with someone, not trying to change it. If it was easy to change, the person would do it. Offering advice says “I’m not comfortable with what you are saying to me so I want you to change it so I feel better.”

Know the mental health resources available around you so you can encourage those who share with you to talk with someone professionally licensed. When you know and share the resources you are saying to the person that you believe it is an important thing to do. Always ask if the person has considered ending their life and respond to whatever they say with acceptance, compassion, and knowing the available resources. YOU WILL NOT PUT THE IDEA IN THEIR HEAD BY ASKING THE QUESTION.

What is one thing you’d want all students to know about their mental health? (Is there a common issue you wish you could address to everyone at once?)

It is normal to struggle. When you share with others typically they have had similar struggles and feel more connected knowing you struggle. When you open up to someone they then know that you are someone they can be vulnerable with and turn to as well. Taking care of your mental health, which includes becoming more mentally healthy, improves your performance. 

What does success look like when someone is putting their mental health first?

Success when you are putting your mental health first is being able to experience and share with others a full range of an emotional life, including the ups and the downs. Success is being able to sit with pain and hurt and this allows you to fully experience the joy and happiness life has to offer. When you cut yourself off from one side of the emotional range you limit both sides. 

Anything else you want to add?

Find your safe people who accept and support ALL OF YOU – when you are happy and when you are not. Have a tribe where you can be you and know you are loved. Build in to your life the things that feed your soul and maintain your mental health, take out the things that don’t.