Developing mental health literacy and cultural competence in elite sport

Abstract

Mental health symptoms and disorders amongst elite athletes have attracted a great deal of discussion recently. Current epidemiological evidence illustrates that mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes are prevalent and a concern for athletes, coaches, and sport organizations. Recently, seven consensus, expert, or position statements have been written on the topic of mental health in elite sport. A strategy suggested by each of the seven statements–aimed at preventing and treating mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes, both individually and systemically–is to employ education interventions, specifically those based on increasing mental health literacy. Mental ..