UNC Sports Psychologist Hayley Hughes joins Benched Host Jules Micchia to have a conversation about mental health and its impact on athletic performance (12:55), but not without hearing about Hayley’s transition from being a hockey player in Canada to being a first-gen student-athlete at Cornell (2:07). They cover the difference between female and male individual and team sports in sports psychology (12:55) and how to battle the cycle of these specific mental health stigmas (24:21). Later, a covid baby? (35:39)

** Resources discussed include:

Resources for Black-Student Athletes:

https://heelsathome.web.unc.edu/social-justice-2/mental-health-resources-for-black-student-athletes/

Resources for White Allies:

https://heelsathome.web.unc.edu/social-justice-2/social-justice/

Resources for student-athletes:

https://www.onlinemswprograms.com/resources/mental-health-resources-for-athletes/

Resources for athletes and coaches:

http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/supporting-student-athlete-mental-wellness

**