The COVID-19 shutdown may have affected student-athletes a little more than just through physical activity. 

According to an NCAA study, more than 50 percent of male and female athletes reported a sense of hopelessness at least once during the COVID-19 shutdown. In a study conducted of more than 37,000 student-athletes, from April to May, athletes reported on a multitude of feelings they went through during their time away from campus and their sport. 

The study found both male and female athletes saw a spike of more than 200 percent in relation to feelings of anxiety in relation to previous studies. The study released by the NCAA comes on the heels of athletes returning to college campuses to begin voluntary workouts for sports like football. In Syracuse, the Orange football team returned to campus Monday.

With so much focus today on the mental well-being of student-athletes, college administrations are implementing several systems to help their athletes deal with personal concerns.