A game plan for mental health

Johns Hopkins hired Ari Miller to help guide student-athletes through the unique and universal challenges they face on and off the field of competition. Ari Miller in the Athletics building - Student-athletes can feel the thrill of competition but also experience the weight of added stress that sometimes challenges their mental health. Ari Miller is here to help. In his newly created position fusing psychology and sports, he helps Johns Hopkins athletes lead healthier daily lives and perform better on the field, court, or track. Johns Hopkins has nearly 700 student-athletes participating in 22 varsity sports. Athletics can enrich a student's collegiate experience, improving physical fitness while creating lasting friendships and a lifetime of memories. But the pressures of sports competition, on top of the rigorous demands of classrooms and labs, can lead to mental health issues, including anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, and depression.