 This study investigated the relationships between the degree of student-athlete identity and mental health problems among Japanese intercollegiate student-athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results revealed that there was a strong correlation between higher levels of student-athlete identity and lower levels of depression and sports helplessness among senior-grade student-athletes. Additionally, when the degree of student-athlete identity was divided into three groups, those with a stronger identity had lower levels of both depression and sports helplessness. These findings suggest that having a strong sense of student-athlete identity may be beneficial for mental health among student-athletes in Japan. This article was authored by Goichi Hajihara.