scholarly journals Mental health in elite athletes: International Olympic Committee consensus statement (2019)

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 667-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia L Reardon ◽  
Brian Hainline ◽  
Cindy Miller Aron ◽  
David Baron ◽  
Antonia L Baum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Consensus Statement ◽  
Work Group ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
International Olympic Committee ◽  
Physical Injury ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Current State

Mental health symptoms and disorders are common among elite athletes, may have sport related manifestations within this population and impair performance. Mental health cannot be separated from physical health, as evidenced by mental health symptoms and disorders increasing the risk of physical injury and delaying subsequent recovery. There are no evidence or consensus based guidelines for diagnosis and management of mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes. Diagnosis must differentiate character traits particular to elite athletes from psychosocial maladaptations.Management strategies should address all contributors to mental health symptoms and consider biopsychosocial factors relevant to athletes to maximise benefit and minimise harm. Management must involve both treatment of affected individual athletes and optimising environments in which all elite athletes train and compete. To advance a more standardised, evidence based approach to mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes, an International Olympic Committee Consensus Work Group critically evaluated the current state of science and provided recommendations.

scholarly journals International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) and Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1 (SMHRT-1): towards better support of athletes’ mental health

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-37
Author(s):  
Vincent Gouttebarge ◽  
Abhinav Bindra ◽  
Cheri Blauwet ◽  
Niccolo Campriani ◽  
Alan Currie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
International Olympic Committee ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Assessment ◽  
Former Elite Athletes

ObjectivesTo develop an assessment and recognition tool to identify elite athletes at risk for mental health symptoms and disorders.MethodsWe conducted narrative and systematic reviews about mental health symptoms and disorders in active and former elite athletes. The views of active and former elite athletes (N=360) on mental health symptoms in elite sports were retrieved through an electronic questionnaire. Our group identified the objective(s), target group(s) and approach of the mental health tools. For the assessment tool, we undertook a modified Delphi consensus process and used existing validated screening instruments. Both tools were compiled during two 2-day meeting. We also explored the appropriateness and preliminary reliability and validity of the assessment tool.Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 and Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1The International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) was developed for sports medicine physicians and other licensed/registered health professionals to assess elite athletes (defined as professional, Olympic, Paralympic or collegiate level; aged 16 years and older) potentially at risk for or already experiencing mental health symptoms and disorders. The SMHAT-1 consists of: (i) triage with an athlete-specific screening tool, (ii) six subsequent disorder-specific screening tools and (iii) a clinical assessment (and related management) by a sports medicine physician or licensed/registered mental health professional (eg, psychiatrist and psychologist). The International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1 (SMHRT-1) was developed for athletes and their entourage (eg, friends, fellow athletes, family and coaches).ConclusionThe SMHAT-1 and SMHRT-1 enable that mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes are recognised earlier than they otherwise would. These tools should facilitate the timely referral of those athletes in need for appropriate support and treatment.

Mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes: a systematic review on cultural influencers and barriers to athletes seeking treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 707-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia ◽  
João Guilherme de Mello e Gallinaro ◽  
Rodrigo Scialfa Falcão ◽  
Vincent Gouttebarge ◽  
Mary E Hitchcock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Health Symptoms

ObjectiveTo summarise the literature on the barriers to athletes seeking mental health treatment and cultural influencers of mental health in elite athletes.DesignSystematic reviewData sourcesPubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, SportDiscus (Ebsco), and PsycINFO (ProQuest) up to November 2018.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesQualitative and quantitative original studies of elite athletes (those who competed at the professional, Olympic, or collegiate/university levels), published in any language.ResultsStigma, low mental health literacy, negative past experiences with mental health treatment-seeking, busy schedules, and hypermasculinity are barriers to elite athletes seeking mental health treatment. Cultural influencers of mental health in elite athletes include: (1) the lack of acceptance of women as athletes; (2) lower acceptability of mental health symptoms and disorders among non-white athletes; (3) non-disclosure of religious beliefs; and (4) higher dependence on economic benefits. Coaches have an important role in supporting elite athletes in obtaining treatment for mental illness. Brief anti-stigma interventions in elite athletes decrease stigma and improve literary about mental health.ConclusionThere is a need for various actors to provide more effective strategies to overcome the stigma that surrounds mental illness, increase mental health literacy in the athlete/coach community, and address athlete-specific barriers to seeking treatment for mental illness. In this systematic review, we identified strategies that, if implemented, can overcome the cultural factors that may otherwise limit athletes seeking treatment. Coaches are critical for promoting a culture within elite athletes’ environments that encourages athletes to seek treatment.

scholarly journals Occurrence of mental health symptoms and disorders in current and former elite athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 700-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Gouttebarge ◽  
João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia ◽  
Paul Gorczynski ◽  
Brian Hainline ◽  
Mary E Hitchcock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Former Elite Athletes ◽  
Anxiety Depression

ObjectivesTo present an overview of the existing epidemiological evidence regarding the occurrence of mental health symptoms and disorders among current and former elite athletes.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesFive electronic databases were searched from inception to November 2018: PubMed (MEDLINE), SportDiscus via EBSCO, PSycINFO via ProQuest, Scopus and Cochrane.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesWe included original quantitative studies that were written in English, were conducted exclusively among current or former elite athletes, and presented incidence or prevalence rates of symptoms of mental disorders.ResultsTwenty-two relevant original studies about mental health symptoms and disorders among current elite athletes were included: they presented data especially on symptoms of distress, sleep disturbance, anxiety/depression and alcohol misuse. Meta-analyses comprising 2895 to 5555 current elite athletes showed that the prevalence of mental health symptoms and disorders ranged from 19% for alcohol misuse to 34% for anxiety/depression. Fifteen relevant original studies about mental health symptoms and disorders among former elite athletes were included: they similarly presented data especially about symptoms of distress, sleep disturbance, anxiety/depression and alcohol misuse. Meta-analyses comprising 1579 to 1686 former elite athletes showed that the prevalence of mental health symptoms and disorders ranged from 16% for distress to 26% for anxiety/depression.ConclusionsOur meta-analyses showed that the prevalence of mental health symptoms and disorders ranged from 19% for alcohol misuse to 34% for anxiety/depression for current elite athletes, and from 16% for distress to 26% for anxiety/depression for former elite athletes.

scholarly journals Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Addressing Mental Health Problems Among Elite Athletes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Stillman ◽  
Hudson Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Interventions ◽  
Vital Component

Athletes suffer from clinical and subclinical mental health symptoms and disorders that affect their lives and their performance. The objective of this chapter is to describe methods of psychotherapy used in treating elite athletes and the unique challenges that clinicians may face when working with this population. Psychotherapy, either as the sole treatment or combined with other nonpharmacological and pharmacological strategies, is a vital component in the management of clinical and subclinical mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes. Effective psychotherapy takes the form of individual, couples/family or group therapy and should address athlete-specific issues while validated as normative by athletes and their core stakeholders. This chapter summarizes research on psychotherapy for elite athletes with clinical and subclinical mental health symptoms and disorders. Though psychotherapeutic interventions are similar to those with non-athletes, working with elite athletes can present unique challenges. These can include diagnostic ambiguity, barriers to help-seeking behaviors, and altered expectations about services. Other personality factors occasionally associated with elite athletes could create difficulties when engaging in psychotherapy. These challenges may prevent athletes from seeking or continuing treatment.

scholarly journals Mental Health In Elite Athletes: Increased Awareness Requires An Early Intervention Framework to Respond to Athlete Needs

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Purcell ◽  
Kate Gwyther ◽  
Simon M. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Right

Abstract The current ‘state of play’ in supporting elite athlete mental health and wellbeing has centred mostly on building mental health literacy or awareness of the signs of mental ill-health amongst athletes. Such awareness is necessary, but not sufficient to address the varied mental health needs of elite athletes. We call for a new model of intervention and outline the backbone of a comprehensive mental health framework to promote athlete mental health and wellbeing, and respond to the needs of athletes who are at-risk of developing, or already experiencing mental health symptoms or disorders. Early detection of, and intervention for, mental health symptoms is essential in the elite sporting context. Such approaches help build cultures that acknowledge that an athlete’s mental health needs are as important as their physical health needs, and that both are likely to contribute to optimising the athlete’s overall wellbeing in conjunction with performance excellence. The proposed framework aims at (i) helping athletes develop a range of self-management skills that they can utilise to manage psychological distress, (ii) equipping key stakeholders in the elite sporting environment (such as coaches, sports medicine and high-performance support staff) to better recognise and respond to concerns regarding an athlete’s mental health and (iii) highlighting the need for specialist multi-disciplinary teams or skilled mental health professionals to manage athletes with severe or complex mental disorders. Combined, these components ensure that elite athletes receive the intervention and support that they need at the right time, in the right place, with the right person.

Psychotherapy for mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes: a narrative review

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 767-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A Stillman ◽  
Ira D Glick ◽  
David McDuff ◽  
Claudia L Reardon ◽  
Mary E Hitchcock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Group Therapy ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Interventions

BackgroundAthletes, like non-athletes, suffer from mental health symptoms and disorders that affect their lives and their performance. Psychotherapy, either as the sole treatment or combined with other non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies, is a pivotal component of management of mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes. Psychotherapy takes the form of individual, couples/family or group therapy and should address athlete-specific issues while being embraced as normative by athletes and their core stakeholders.Main findingsThis narrative review summarises controlled and non-controlled research on psychotherapy for elite athletes with mental health symptoms and disorders. In summary, treatment is similar to that of non-athletes—although with attention to issues that are athlete-specific. Challenges associated with psychotherapy with elite athletes are discussed, including diagnostic issues, deterrents to help-seeking and expectations about services. We describe certain personality characteristics sometimes associated with elite athletes, including narcissism and aggression, which could make psychotherapy with this population more challenging. The literature regarding psychotherapeutic interventions in elite athletes is sparse and largely anecdotal.

scholarly journals Gender differences in mental health symptoms and risk factors in Australian elite athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000984
Author(s):  
Courtney C Walton ◽  
Simon Rice ◽  
Caroline X Gao ◽  
Matt Butterworth ◽  
Matti Clements ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Women Athletes ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Adverse Life Events ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Meta Regression

ObjectivesTo examine gender differences in the reporting of, and contributors to, mental health symptoms.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional observational study of adult athletes within a national elite sporting system (n=523; women=292;56%), who completed a battery of assessments including measures of mental health and adverse life events. Group differences across a range of scores were examined, followed by gender-stratified bootstrapped linear regression and meta-regression on measures where gender differences were observed.ResultsWomen athletes reported higher rates of mental health symptoms, and lower rates of mental well-being, although there were no differences in general psychological distress or life satisfaction. Women reported experiencing several adverse life events at higher rates than men; particularly interpersonal conflict, financial hardship and discrimination. Low self-esteem was consistently associated with poorer mental health outcomes for all athletes. While a range of factors were associated with poor mental health in men or women athletes, meta-regression suggested that experiencing financial difficulty and social media abuse were more uniquely associated with mental health symptoms in men.ConclusionGender differences in mental health in elite athletes are apparent. Approaches to increasing well-being are required in elite sport.

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