Pai Creates Virtual Safe Space for Athletes
Mental health is an increasing concern these days as more and more people are being affected worldwide. Suicide rates are climbing, and overall mental health issues are on the rise.
But, a large group of people often overlooked in the mental health discussion are athletes, since there is a stigma associated with athletes who are supposed to be mentally strong. Ajay Pai, a Bluefield University freshman wrestler from Richmond, Virginia, is doing his part to address this issue.
“Athletes always have something going for them. [Something] always drives them,” Pai explained.
His project is known as the Piratic Crew, a project dedicated to creating a virtual safe space for both athletes and others generally struggling with their mental health or any issues.
“My goal is to reach out to people that are struggling with similar issues, whether it’s depression, anxiety, suicide, or whatever negative outside forces they are dealing with to be able to show them that they’re wanted, they’re cared for, and they’re loved,” Pai said. “That hopefully will help them reach out and get the help they need.”
Pai came up with the idea for the Piratic Crew as a result of his own suicide attempts.
“I used to make a lot of mistakes in my life, and when I finally was self-aware of that I tried fixing it,” Pai said, “and when it didn’t go to plan, it got even worse. I’m finally getting the help I need.”
Pai said most of the mental stress athletes face comes from an expectation to perform at a high level.
“Athletes are so driven by it to the point of perfection,” Pai said, “and when they don’t perform to the best of their own capability or to the best that they thought they should have or could have, it gets to them.”
Pai said it’s not healthy for athletes to define who they are based off a performance-based mentality. Big Think is a multimedia web portal presenting interviews and round-table discussions with experts from various fields who share the same view. They say a “performance-based identity” is when we define ourselves by how well we do something relative to others. Three factors define a performance-based identity: contingent self-worth, a looming fear of failure, and perfectionism. A performance-based model can work, but it’s not sustainable and can negatively impact well-being, relationships, and one’s own potential.
The Piratic Crew strives to correct that mentality in student-athletes by posting weekly interviews of people sharing their opinions on the project and the experiences they struggle with in their mental health journey.
“I think it’s a great project,” said Quantavis McKinney, a member of the men’s basketball team, “especially for people who may be quiet about it.”
You can find all the interviews and related content at @Piratic_Crew on Instagram.