Mental health support within professional soccer academies: clarifying the roles of psychologists, player care staff and clinicians

TL;DR

This paper explores how mental health support can be improved in professional soccer academies by clarifying roles among psychologists, player care staff, and clinicians.

Contribution

The paper introduces a stepped-care pathway for mental health support tailored to professional soccer academies.

Findings

Mental health issues among professional soccer players are as prevalent or more prevalent than in the general population.

A stepped-care model is proposed to enhance mental health support through collaboration among various professionals.

Employing qualified mental health clinicians in clubs requires specific conditions to ensure effective support.

Abstract

Surveys of professional soccer players mental health (MH) difficulties reveal a prevalence either equal or higher compared to the general population. It is suggested that under reporting of problems occurs because of the stigma associated with disclosing difficulties, poor MH literacy, and concerns about deselection. This paper presents a stepped-care pathway of MH support, together with a discussion about the optimal manner by which this support can be provided. While suggesting that enhancing the MH of players is ‘everyone’s business’, particular focus is given to the work of sports psychologists (SP), members of the player care team, and specialist MH clinicians. The use of such a pathway is discussed within a professional soccer club, and issues about communication, confidentiality and competition are debated. The pros and cons of employing a qualified MH clinician within a club are also discussed, as well as the conditions required for such an appointment to work effectively.

Figures