Mental health and wellbeing: What you need to know
When we talk about health and wellbeing, most of us think of our physical health despite our mental health being an equally important component of our overall wellbeing. Mental health includes our psychological, emotional and physical health, and is important at every stage of your life from childhood through to adulthood. Your mental health influences how you feel, think and behave every day whilst also affecting your ability to manage stress, overcome challenges, cope with setbacks and build relationships.
Although society perceives elite athletes as “superhuman beings”, it is important to remember athletes are people too and can experience exactly the same mental health concerns as the general population. With pressures to perform well, both within your sport and public life, being an elite athlete can present a unique set of challenges for your mental health.
According to recent research, mental health disorders occur in 5-35% of elite athletes and mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, addictions and substance misuse. Eating disorders are especially prevalent in female athletes.
What are the risk factors of mental health concerns?
A combination of factors may increase the risk of mental health symptoms and disorders in an elite athlete’s career. These include, but at not limited to:
- Experiencing performance failure or struggling to perform
- Performance expectations
- Overtraining
- Experiencing injury
- Low social support
- Body image pressures
- Personal stressors
- Facing media scrutiny
What are the symptoms of mental health concerns?
The signs and symptoms you may want to seek assistance from your general practitioner for further assessment include:
- Low energy
- Irritability
- Severe mood swings
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping
- Changes in eating habits
- Disengaging from relationships or activities you previously enjoyed
- Feeling unable to perform typical daily tasks
How do mental health concerns affect performance?
Mental health symptoms and concerns can have numerous adverse effects on athletic performance, depending upon the symptoms being experienced and your individual circumstances. These include:
- Breaks in focus and preparation
- Poor performance
- Muscle tightening
- Shaking
- Increased perspiration
- Increased risk of injury
How can I improve my mental health and wellbeing?
Prioritising your mental health, especially as an athlete, is not only essential to optimising your performance on the field but off it as well. Whether you are interested in coping with a specific mental health concern, managing your emotions or simply improving your general mental wellbeing, there are many ways you can:
- Ensure your training schedule and diet are well-balanced
- Ensure you are getting a sufficient amount of sleep each night
- Nurture your relationships with others and connect with them often
- Make sure your routine also involves you taking some time out for things you enjoy
- Try practising mindfulness to reduce your stress levels (e.g., Smiling Mind, Headspace, Calm etc.)
- Do not hesitate to reach out for help or support from others when you need it
Who do I seek for further assistance with my mental health and wellbeing?
It is important to remember anyone can experience mental or emotional health concerns and you are not alone. We recommend seeking the assistance of your general practitioner to discuss your symptoms in further detail and obtain a mental health assessment.
Additionally, the following resources are available if you would like further support.
- Beyond Blue – Mental health service with a free helpline providing advice and support via phone
- Headspace – Mental health service specialising in providing mental health services to 12 to 25-year-old individuals
- Kids Helpline – Mental health service specialising in providing mental health services from 5-year-old children to 25-year-old young adults
- Reach Out – Online mental health service with a forum providing a supportive, safe and anonymous space for those who need it
