The Resilient Student-Athlete: Supporting Community and Mental Well-being through On-campus Housing

Abstract

Young adults who enter their college years as student-athletes face the challenge of balancing their athletic demands with their academic ones, all while transitioning to their future careers as adults. The demand for student-athletes to perform at the highest level possible often begins to push some of them over the edge both physically and mentally. The culture of athletics has not always been supportive of student-athletes with mental illness, therefore, weakening the stigma of mental illness is necessary to encourage student-athletes to begin to seek the help they may truly need.

This thesis explores on-campus housing at the University of Maryland (UMD) that encourages community and a supportive environment for the student-athlete and general student population living there. The community spaces and mental health resources better prepare student-athletes in dealing with mental illness and the stressors they face in college. The organization and aesthetics of the built environment encourage wellness in subtle and direct ways, creating an environment that weaves together mental well-being and everyday living without branding it as a place to be “fixed”. As a result, every individual can learn to thrive within their sport and academics and become resilient to the stressors and demands of their college career and beyond.