Coaches wear a lot of hats—mentor, motivator, and sometimes even a stand-in family member. But what happens when the job goes beyond the game and dives into the personal struggles of mental health? For LeAndra Martin, juggling these responsibilities took a toll, leading to burnout and sparking her mission to change how coaches are supported when helping their athletes with their mental health.
“I have lived experience with mental health in my family,” Martin said. “Because of that, I’ve always been able to identify people who are struggling [with mental health]. I started as a travel basketball coach and later moved to high school and collegiate levels, and at every level, I could always identify or see the players that were struggling.”
This personal connection enabled her to develop strong connections with her athletes. However, as she progressed to coaching at the collegiate level, the severity and frequency of mental health issues became overwhelming, and the boundaries between her personal life and her work began to blur. And as she navigated each situation, she lacked any resources or guidance on how to move forward.
One particularly challenging situation involved a player facing ongoing mental health crises, requiring Martin to step in as a constant source of support. The athlete’s challenges escalated during a critical moment that required immediate action, leaving her exhausted and searching for resources. “After 36 hours awake [making sure the athlete was ok], I was desperate for guidance. I was Googling resources, but nothing seemed accessible or affordable,” said Martin. “That’s when I realized how alone coaches can feel in these situations.”
While the student-athlete received treatment and returned to the team, Martin was left emotionally and physically drained. “I stopped showing up mentally. I lost confidence in my coaching and began experiencing physical symptoms like chronic back pain from holding stress in my body,” she shared. By the end of the season, she decided to step away from coaching entirely.
During her break from coaching, she was determined to make sure other coaches would not face similar struggles alone, she became certified as a Mental Health First Aid instructor. “I’ve been where these coaches are,” she said. “I want to share the lessons I learned and the tools I wish I had.”
Through a grant from Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio, she is now pursuing training coaches on how to become Mental Health First Aid certified. Her goal is not only to equip them with the skills to support their athletes but also to help them set boundaries and protect their own well-being.
Beyond training, she envisions creating a community where coaches can share experiences and seek support. “When I was at my lowest, I didn’t just need clinical advice. I just needed someone who understood what I was going through. Coaches need a space to connect on a personal level.”
Martin aims to address the urgent need for mental health resources and training tailored to the unique challenges faced by athletic coaches. By equipping coaches with tools and creating a support network, the hope is to foster an environment where both athletes and coaches can thrive.
“At the end of the day, coaches are human too,” she said. “We care deeply about our players, but we can’t pour from an empty cup. We need to prioritize the mental health of everyone on the team—athletes and coaches alike.”
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