Policy paper

Mental Health and Elite Sport Action Plan

An action plan for improved mental health support to elite and professional sports people.

Documents

Mental Health and Elite Sport Action Plan

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Details

Mental Health and Elite Sport Action Plan

As part of the sport strategy ‘Sporting Future’ government has been looking at how sport can improve its offer of mental health support to elite sports people. ‘Sporting Future’ not only recognised the impact sport has on physical and mental health but also highlighted the sacrifices athletes make in striving for success.

This action plan has been developed with mental health and sport organisations. It builds on the good work already done by the sectors and it sets out some key areas for further work around the clarity of support available, sharing of best practice across the sport sector and improved mental health education and training in sport.

Thriving at Work in sport and physical activity

As part of the mental health and elite sport action plan a guide to implementing the Thriving at Work standards in the sport and physical activity sector was published in February 2019 by Mind in collaboration with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, and Sport England. The aim of the guide is to help employers across the sport and physical activity sector to understand and implement the Thriving at Work standards.

Thriving at Work is an independent review that outlines what employers can do to better support all employees – including those with mental health problems to remain in and thrive through work. The guide offers practical support, with relevant examples to help people in the sector to talk openly about mental health and get support.

Published 21 March 2018