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Risks For Athletes
Athletes are at greater risk of mental health disorders if they are injured, approaching or in retirement, or experiencing performance difficulty.
Performing at an elite level can compromise mental wellbeing and increase symptoms associated with anxiety, depression and burnout. Athletes start to see physical declines at age 26, with certain sporting codes reach peak longevity as early as the age of 21 as in swimming. Our sporting culture is based on strength, great team identity and high performance as a winning attribute.
Young athletes transition into sport between the ages of 15-18 years, which is a critical time in their identity development. There is pressure to perform and the associated praise, adulation or acceptance is damaging to mental health and self-esteem when it evaporates. This gladiatorial approach is supported by the depth of our sporting resources, meaning we simply replace the athletes who bum out.
However, the cost to the individual, and our sporting culture, is beginning to tell its own story.
Related Risks
Athletes are predisposed to quick fixes such as gambling or other addictions, anger, self-destructive behaviours and simply ignoring their problems or denying they exist.
This results in poor mental health and only serves to perpetuate their self-destructive behaviours.
Risks Inside Sport
Balance
Inability to balance the diversity of life andits stresses
Engagement
Insufficient engagement with day-to-day issues
Identity
Inability to manage identity & direction both inside &outside sport
Change
Little understanding of how to deal with change
Self Efficacy
Reliance on pre-organised schedules. Low capacity to self motivate
Transitions
Focus ison performance. Transitions require structure to succeed