← Back to Vol. 11 Issue No. 03 — Issue 03
Abstract
Current mental health resources and systems within sports are insufficient. Competing athletes face a myriad of mental health challenges. Various internal and external barriers exist that undermine help-seeking behaviors. Sports culture stigmatizes mental health issues, which exacerbates the psychological distress of athletes. The options available to an athlete confronting a mental health crisis are limited. Athletes transitioning out of sports also grapple with complex psychological issues. The authors analyze the unique factors present in the sports environment that interact to compound mental health crises among athletes. Suggestions are provided to buffer risk factors and ameliorate stigma within the athletic community. Future research around the areas of promoting awareness, building trust among athletes and sports psychologists, and support for athletes evolving out of sports is discussed.