Person Before Player: Interview with Dr. Shreya Hessler

Dr. Shreya Hessler, Pys.D. is the director of The MINDset Center in Bel Air, MD. She specializes in the identification and treatment of anxiety disorders, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, depression, and behavioral disorders. Dr. Hessler has worked with athletes to promote their mental well-being and developed a program at the Towson University’s Sports Medicine Program to strengthen resources for students, athletes, and staff. In 2021, Dr. Hessler developed the Person Before Player project alongside colleague Kasey Cutner. Emphasizing the importance of mental health to athletes, parents, and coaches brought Dr. Hessler to Bryn Mawr to work with all teams and the groups who support them.

What inspired you to begin work in the field of mental health? 

After I took my first psychology class in college, I was immediately hooked. I was curious about how to help seek resources in underrepresented populations and started to engage in pediatric psychology specifically.

How did you launch the Person Before Player series?

Person Before Player (PBP) was launched after years of seeing student athletes in my practice struggling with their mental health. There just wasn't enough education out there on what athletes were experiencing, how caregivers and coaches could recognize signs of distress, and how to ask for help. PBP's mission is to bridge the gaps in that education and deliver skills directly to the key parties involved.

What role do parents play in the lives of student athletes? 

Parents are critical in the support of student athletes. They are not only the primary source of support, but they also have a front row seat to seeing how their student athlete copes with the demands placed on them.

What is the best advice you can give coaches to positively affect the athletic performance and mental health of their athletes? 

Their skills are in coaching but it is so helpful when they are able to fully see their players and their capacities off the field. Taking the time to understand the culture and dynamics of their athletes will help in the long run.

How can student athletes use tools learned in Person Before Player to affect their athletic performance? 

Our mission is to provide perspectives and skills that student athletes can use immediately after being exposed to them. In our time at Bryn Mawr, we have focused on how to recognize the signs of distress, understand how to address them, and how to advocate when they need additional support.

Why is it important to educate young athletes about their mental health in the light of college athletes opening up about the pressure high level athletes are put under? 

The earlier there is education on mental health well-being, the more students can feel empowered with coping skills when the demands increase. With education and skill development, student athletes can change the dialogue as the stakes get higher.