Bridging the Gap: Psychiatrist Joins the Team to Support Gopher Student Athletes

The University of Minnesota’s Athletic Medicine Clinic provides comprehensive medical care to student-athletes across all 21 Gopher teams. Athletic Trainers work in close collaboration with team physicians, physical therapists, Athletic Performance staff, sport psychologists, sports nutritionists, and other allied health professionals. 

In 2024, the clinic welcomed its first psychiatrist, Charles Lewis, MD, from the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Lewis shares insights into his role and the evolving mental health needs of student-athletes.

Initial involvement
Brad Nelson, MD, Director of the Athletic Medicine Clinic, recognized the growing need for specialized mental health support among student-athletes and approached Sophia Vinogradov, MD, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, to request psychiatric collaboration. Dr. Lewis was invited to join the team. “I was very fortunate to be approached with this opportunity, and excited that we have begun a process of offering psychiatric consultations and some follow-up visits for student athletes who are being seen in the athletic medicine clinic,” said Lewis.

Affilliation
All student-athletes are eligible to receive care through the clinic, including access to mental health services. While some athletes continue their mental health care with outside providers or primary care physicians, others are referred to Dr. Lewis for second opinions or more specialized psychiatric support. “I think mental health concerns and diagnoses really cut across all sports and are not necessarily linked to one particular type of athlete or team structure. Really, the mental health difficulties we see among our student-athletes are often common things that many young people at this age would experience,” Lewis explained.

Mental health challenges
The mental health challenges faced by student-athletes often mirror those experienced by their non-athlete peers, including depression, anxiety, and stress. “Our student athletes share a lot of these experiences at this age with their peers who don’t compete in collegiate athletics, and even though they may have a different day-to-day rhythm balancing both their athletic training and competition and studies and classwork, our athletes share a lot of experiences including mental health concerns that any young person would,” Lewis noted.

This age group is also at increased risk for the onset of substance use disorders and eating disorders, which may require more specialized care beyond the clinic’s scope. Additionally, off-field stressors can significantly impact mental health and performance. “For some, it may be related to interpersonal relationships with teammates or coaches and staff; for others, it may be academic challenges or difficulties with family members. All of these off-field concerns can impact their mental health, their ability to function well academically, and their athletic performance and participation in college sports,” Lewis added.

Training for the role
Student-athletes are tasked with managing the dual demands of high-level athletics and rigorous academics—an especially heavy load during a formative stage of life. “It is a real privilege, and I think an exciting opportunity, to see how our talented student-athletes find the best path forward in the context of these incredible things they are doing both athletically and academically,” noted Charles, who is trained in both general psychiatry and child & adolescent psychiatry.

Success story
Dr. Lewis recalled working with a dedicated athlete who had long excelled in their sport but began experiencing severe depression and anxiety during college. The emotional toll led to frequent suicidal thoughts, particularly as they faced uncertainty about their athletic future. “Fortunately, they had teammates who were supportive and an athletic trainer who also had a close relationship with the student athlete, and this prompted them to seek care for depression and anxiety,” said Charles. With a medication adjustment facilitated through the athletic medicine clinic and close coordination with their therapist, the student-athlete made significant progress. “They have been doing much better and are continuing to succeed academically, and feel much more confident about what their future looks like,” Lewis added.

Mental health and wellbeing
Psychiatry, like many healthcare professions, can be emotionally demanding—especially when working closely with patients through deeply personal challenges. “We spend so much time talking with patients hearing their very human stories. Based on the amount of time we spend with our patients, and often the very personal nature of what is shared with us, those stories are memorable, and they stick with you even after you leave the hospital or clinic,” Charles reflected. To maintain emotional resilience and provide the best care, Dr. Lewis emphasizes the importance of finding sources of meaning and fulfillment outside of clinical work. “When you come back to the clinic, you can be more present and thoughtful with your patients,” he added.