Smart Calls for More Athlete Mental Health Support

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said schools should provide more mental health support as athletes face record stress in the NIL era.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Mental Health

Expressive sports illustration of a lone athlete in a red jersey walking down a dim stadium tunnel toward bright light, seen from behind. — Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Thursday that schools should expand mental health support as athletes face record pressure from NIL earnings, family expectations and social media. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should schools do more to support students' mental health under outside pressure?

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said athletes face an all-time high of mental stress and that schools should provide more mental health support. He said pressure from NIL earnings, family members and social media has intensified, and he made the remarks on his radio show Thursday.

Why it matters

Smart said athletes who earn NIL money face pressure from family members seeking support, and that growing up with social media exposes them to criticism previous generations could avoid. The comments come as the NCAA announced its Bad Actor Program to help identify harassing behavior online.

The source contains no quantitative metrics; Smart's assessment rests on his personal observation that athlete stress is at an all-time high compared with prior generations. Specific data on athlete mental health prevalence has not been released.

The players

Kirby Smart

Kirby Smart is the head football coach at the University of Georgia, widely recognized as one of the most prominent coaches in college football.

NCAA

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is the governing body for most college sports in the United States, overseeing eligibility, championships and athlete policy.

The details

Smart made the remarks during his radio show Thursday, pointing to NIL-era pressures including family financial expectations and social media criticism. Many athletes have used social media followings to enter deals and earn off the field, which Smart linked to added strain.

Late October 2026: NCAA announced the Bad Actor Program to help identify harassing behavior online.
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Smart called for more mental health support on his radio show.

Health Landscape

The mental health concerns Smart describes follow the NCAA's 2021 NIL policy, which opened athlete earnings and brought new financial and social media pressures. The remarks extend that policy's consequences into the broader national conversation about athlete wellbeing.

For college athletes, the pressures Smart describes can affect daily routines, sleep and stress management, making access to school-based mental health resources practically relevant. Athletes and families navigating NIL income can also benefit from understanding how social media criticism and financial expectations may affect wellbeing.

The takeaway

Athlete mental health is increasingly shaped by new financial and social pressures, and support systems need to keep pace. Athletes experiencing sustained stress can benefit from talking with trusted staff, counselors or family early.