Mental health challenges among college students and athletes in China are increasingly prevalent, arising from academic pressures, social isolation, and the demands associated with sports participation. Despite growing recognition of the importance of academic and social support in enhancing mental well-being, there remains a limited understanding of the combined impact of these factors on Chinese students and athletes. The primary aim of this research is to investigate the impact of academic support and social support on the mental health of college students and athletes in China. The study sample comprises 518 participants from Chinese colleges, including 260 students and 258 athletes. A structured survey questionnaire was administered to assess academic support, social support, competition stress, time management, self-esteem, and mental health. The statistical analysis methods employed in this research include descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression, and one-way ANOVA. The study demonstrated that there are strong positive relationships between academic and social support, time management, self-esteem, and mental health. Conversely, competition stress was found to have a negative impact on mental health. The research suggests that enhancing academic and social support, along with addressing competitive stress, significantly improves mental health outcomes among college students and athletes. It underscores the importance of these factors in promoting better mental health.