Olympic champion and Stanford student Eileen Gu said she experienced severe post‑Olympic depression after her 2022 victories, highlighting a growing concern about mental health among elite student‑athletes. Gu described the phenomenon as common and not correlated with on‑field success, underscoring the psychological toll of high achievement and rapid public expectations. Gu’s account — shared on The Burnouts podcast — spotlights gaps in university counseling and athlete support structures, particularly for students balancing elite training with academic commitments. Universities with high‑performance sport programs may need to expand targeted mental‑health services and post‑competition transition support. Athletics directors, counseling centers and student affairs officers should collaborate to build proactive monitoring, accessible therapy pathways and reintegration plans for athletes returning from major events.