'Social bullying existed before cyberbullying,' Sports Psychologist Kriti Monga

In the high-pressure world of sports, where physical prowess often takes center stage, the importance of mental health is sometimes overlooked.

However, the mind is just as critical to an athlete’s success as their physical abilities. 

On this World Mental Health Day, sports psychologist Kriti Monga, who runs a consulting firm that supports athletes’ mental well-being, especially in the northern states of Punjab and Haryana, sheds light on athletes' often unseen struggles—from coping with performance anxiety and social media scrutiny to handling false accusations and balancing their identity beyond their sport in an exclusive interview with The Bridge.

With the growing awareness around mental health in sports, Kriti emphasizes the need for consistent mental conditioning and a strong support system to help athletes navigate the complex challenges of their careers.

The role of sports psychology

Kriti Monga emphasizes that mental conditioning is crucial for athletes aiming to maintain consistent performance. 

“Athletes often focus on physical training, but their mental game is just as important,” she explains.

One of the key takeaways from Kriti’s work is how mental conditioning coaches help athletes manage competitive stress, much like how physios manage physical health.

“We work along with coaches to understand the demands of the sport, while also creating a supportive ecosystem. An athlete performs best when their team, coaches, and family are in balance and provide a cohesive support system,” she emphasized.

“Mental conditioning helps athletes stay focused, resilient, and emotionally controlled under pressure. Techniques like visualization, mindfulness, and positive self-talk allow them to stay calm, confident, and consistent, even in high-stakes environments,” she says.

"Nowadays organizations are starting to hire a psychologist for the mental health needs of athletes," Kriti adds.

The impact of social media

In the age of social media, athletes are constantly in the public eye, and with that comes online criticism and bullying. 

However, as Kriti points out, social bullying existed long before the rise of social media platforms.

"Back then, it happened within societies, families, and relatives. Athletes didn’t receive the support they needed in the early stages of their careers. Now, social media just amplifies that pressure,” she explains. 

This can have a profound impact on their mental health, especially when athletes are left to cope with the pressure without adequate support in the early stages of their careers.

“The problem is, athletes often don’t get the mental health support they need early on when they’re just starting and are most vulnerable to criticism,” Kriti says. 

She stresses the importance of developing a healthy detachment from online negativity.

“Athletes need to understand that not every comment reflects their true value. Having a strong support system—teammates, family, and coaches—helps constructively process criticism. It’s important not to take things personally and to set boundaries around social media use to safeguard mental well-being,” she emphasizes.

Identity and self-worth 

Athletes, especially young ones, often struggle with identity issues, linking their self-worth to their performance, which can be detrimental when things don’t go as planned.

“Many athletes believe that if they don’t perform well, they lose their value,” Kriti explained.

She uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help athletes develop positive self-talk, which she calls a cornerstone for overcoming these struggles. 

Kriti highlights that the approach in these cases is to help athletes expand their identity beyond sports.

“Athletes need to recognize their value as individuals outside of their athletic achievements. Wins and losses shouldn’t define them as a person," she says.

She emphasizes the importance of relationships, and a strong support system outside of sports to create a more balanced self-concept.

“Developing a sense of self that isn’t solely tied to performance fosters emotional resilience. Having a strong support system is always the key,” she says. 

Supporting young athletes in high-pressure environments

For younger athletes, especially those in high-pressure environments, parents and mentors play a crucial role in fostering mental well-being.

“Not every parent understands the importance of mental health, especially in privileged or less-educated communities. Some are overprotective, while others are unaware of how crucial mental health support can be. We need to work closely with academies to educate parents on how to support their child’s mental health,” she says.

“It’s essential that parents create an environment where effort is valued more than results,” says Monga. 

She shares that while mental health awareness has grown in India over the past five years, especially in sports, there’s still work to be done in reaching all communities.

“Support needs to come early, but many athletes lack that encouragement in their formative years. By the time they succeed, everyone shows up, but they needed support back then,” she notes.

Stigma around mental health in sports

While awareness around mental health in sports has grown, Monga acknowledges that a certain degree of stigma remains.

 “There is a lot of stigma around mental health, especially in sports. Players often feel they don’t need help, or that reaching out for support is a sign of weakness. They think they can handle everything by themselves.”

She mentioned an example of a footballer she worked with, who experienced frustration within his team. Despite trying to handle it internally, his stress snowballed into competitive pressure.

To change this, Kriti believes creating a safe, non-judgmental space is key.

“It’s crucial for teams and organizations and academies to advocate for mental health just as much as physical health,” she adds.

Recognizing serious mental health issues in athletes

Kriti also outlines how athletes can distinguish between regular performance anxiety and more serious mental health conditions.

“It’s normal to feel nervous before a big game, but when sadness starts interfering with daily life or practice sessions or leads to sleep disturbances or drastic changes in behavior, it’s time to seek help.”

She warns that prolonged feelings of sadness, eating disorders, or withdrawal from others could indicate a deeper issue.

“Early intervention is critical, and athletes should never hesitate to reach out for professional help,” she advises.

Coping with doping

A particularly challenging issue some athletes face is being wrongly accused of doping, or accidentally engaging in it.

Kriti notes that this can have a devastating impact on their mental health.

“When athletes are falsely accused, they experience a range of emotions, from anger to fear about their reputation and future. It’s a huge mental strain when people stop trusting you, even when it’s a mistake,” Kriti says.

To help athletes cope, Monga focuses on strategies to manage stress and maintain mental resilience.

“I suggest focusing on what they can control—such as the legal process to clear their name. NADA must already have some system in place to support such athletes, if not they should introduce one," She adds.

She emphasizes that athletes should not let public perception define their self-worth.