Stigma deterring elite athletes with mental health issues from seeking help

Stigma is the main reason why elite athletes with mental health issues don't seek the help they need, finds a summary of the available evidence. But a poor understanding of mental illness, busy schedules, and gender stereotyping also play their part, the findings suggest.

Mental illness affects up one in three elite athletes every year. The elite sports culture, with its heavy training demands and constant drive to improve performance, only serve to heighten the risk, the evidence suggests.

"Athletes fear, possibly rightly so, that disclosing mental health symptoms or disorders would reduce their chances of maintaining or signing a professional team contract or an advertising campaign," note the researchers.

"Coaches could be important agents for supporting positive mental health attitudes within the elite athlete environment, including fostering an environment of mental health treatment-seeking," they conclude.

Do you coach a sports team? How do you support positive mental health attitudes?

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/r.../05/190516185917.htm