Does Mental Health Medal? An Investigation of Canadian Olympic Sport Organizations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v16i4.831Keywords:
Well-being, Olympic Sports, Canada, Athletes, Coaches, Duty of Care, Mental Health ResourcesAbstract
Background: Athletes have reported experiencing a variety of mental health symptoms or disorders. Sport organizations have a duty of care to safeguard and promote athlete mental health. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to document current approaches to safeguarding and promoting athlete mental health identified by Canadian Olympic Sport Organizations (COSO) websites. Methods: Using a descriptive, cross-sectional research design, a systematic search for content listed on COSO websites (N = 49) to identify the presence/absence of mental health resources was undertaken. Results: Across COSO websites, resources most commonly identified targeted Safe Sport (n = 45; 91.8%), identification of mental health organizations (n = 44; 89.8%), and psychological constructs linked to Long-Term Athlete Development (n = 43; 87.8%). Resources targeting access to mental health professionals and viable mental health action plans were less evident on COSO websites. Reference to mental health resources in under-represented cohorts of athletes was limited. Conclusion: COSO included a variety of mental health resources to safeguard and promote athlete mental health. Recommendations for future resource development are identified to further prioritize Canadian athlete mental health.
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