Creating safe spaces in recreational sport: A mental health perspective

Sports are often celebrated for their physical benefits, but they also play a crucial role in mental health. Participation in sports can improve mood, stress relief, and foster a sense of belonging (Bruner et al., 2018; Panza et al., 2020). However, while these benefits are well-documented, they aren’t always guaranteed. In fact, sport participation can sometimes lead to mental health challenges (Walton et al., 2021). Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a high-performance athlete or someone who plays recreationally, the performance pressure, the risk of injuries, and the constant balancing act of sports with other life demands can lead to stress, anxiety and depression (Reardon et al., 2019; Wu et al., 2022). Beyond that, the sport environment can expose participants to psychological abuse, bullying, and unhealthy competition, all of which can contribute to negative mental health outcomes (Nery et al., 2019).  

For youth participants, the pressures can be even more intense. Young athletes are heavily influenced by those around them like teammates, coaches, and parents or guardians. In some cases, peer pressure can lead to risky behaviours, like substance use, just to fit in with their peers (Smith & Ullrich‐French, 2020). Coaches, in particular, play a big role in young athletes’ mental health. A coach who doesn’t create a safe and supportive environment can inadvertently contribute to issues like anxiety, depression, and even eating disorders (Ohlert et al., 2019; Vertommen et al., 2018). Furthermore, athletes might also be less likely to talk about their mental health struggles if they don’t feel supported by their coaches (Bissett et al., 2020). On the other hand, coaches who prioritize positive interactions and encourage seeking help are in a better position to support their athletes’ well-being.

Mental health protection in elite vs. recreational sport

Mental health challenges exist across all levels of sport, but there’s a stark difference between the support systems in both recreational and elite settings.  Elite sport programs are often better equipped to address mental health issues because of their access to resources such as sports psychologists mental performance consultants, medical teams, and comprehensive mental health programs (Henriksen et al., 2020). These resources help elite athletes manage the psychological strain that comes with high-level competition.

On the other hand, recreational sports typically lack these resources, leading to gaps in mental health protection for participants. Recreational athletes often face similar mental health risks like stress, performance anxiety, and injury recovery without access to the same level of care. Without the same level of investment and attention as elite sports, recreational athletes and stakeholders are at risk of experiencing untreated mental health challenges. This gap points to the need for more robust mental health initiatives within this sector. Ideally, recreational sport should be seen as an opportunity to not only protect the mental health of participants, but also enhance their wellbeing (Vella et al., 2022).

Recent research shows that youth sports in many countries, including Canada, often fall short in protecting participants from various forms of abuse (Kerr et al., 2020). To effectively tackle mental health issues in recreational sports, a system-wide approach that involves everyone from national sport organizations and government bodies to community clubs, regional governing bodies, and others such as athletes, parents, and coaches is needed. Unfortunately, the community sports sector, where fun and recreation should be the main focus, often lacks a unified, evidence-based strategy to promote mental health and well-being. Many sports organizations also report being under-resourced, under-trained, and unsure of how to implement even basic measures to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their participants (Whitley et al., 2018). To create effective guidelines that aim to protect recreational sport participants’ mental health, it’s essential that they align with the unique culture of sports, the available resources, and the specific needs of sports clubs and organizations in Canada. This approach will help ensure the guidelines are not only practical but also feasible for implementation, ultimately contributing to safer and more supportive sports environments for everyone involved. 

Learning from Australia

One country that is paving the way in addressing mental health in recreational sports is Australia. In Canada, the landscape of recreational sport is similar to Australia, with high participation rates and an equally strong emphasis on the physical and social benefits of sport (Aubert et al., 2018). Looking down under for guidance, Australia has recently pioneered the process of developing mental health guidelines for recreational sports, recognizing the need to create psychologically safe environments for all participants (Liddelow et al., 2022; 2024). The protocol for developing these guidelines followed the National Health and Medical Research Council’s ‘Guidelines for Guidelines’ recommendations, which ensured a rigorous and inclusive process (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2019).  

A review of methods used in Australia

The development of Australia’s mental health guidelines for recreational sports was a meticulous, multi-phase process grounded in evidence-based practices. It started with 2 systematic reviews that were critical in identifying the existing knowledge gaps and effective practices in mental health support within sports (Sutcliffe et al., 2024; Vella et al., 2021). The first review looked at all existing sport-based mental health position statements and guidelines in the scientific literature. It found 13 distinct guidelines covering various levels of athletes, from Olympic to secondary school, and identified 6 key areas for developing mental health guidelines in sports, including creating mental health plans and providing support during high-risk events (Vella et al., 2021).

The second review examined 19 different mental health interventions in recreational sports. These programs, which ranged from psycho-educational programs to alternative therapies like acupuncture, showed small-to-medium positive effects on reducing anxiety and stress while also boosting mental health knowledge and reducing stigma (Sutcliffe et al., 2024). An important finding of this review was that while the interventions had varying degrees of success, the diversity of approaches made it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions. Nonetheless, the findings provided a solid foundation for understanding the currently available guidelines and programs for mental health in Australian sport. 

Giving a voice to everyone involved in sport, from participants to experts 

In addition to reviewing the literature, the Australian team sought input from the people most affected by guidelines: athletes, coaches, and sport organization representatives. Focus groups were held with participants across Australia, including both city and regional areas, to gather insights on what should be included in mental health guidelines for sports clubs (Liddelow et al., 2022). The discussions revolved around key questions like whether mental health guidelines are needed in sport, what they should cover, and what specific content they would like to see.

Experts were also brought in to refine the guidelines. Twenty professionals from the fields of mental health and sports, including clinical psychologists, academics, and representatives from various levels of sport organizations, participated in a series of discussions to help shape the content of the guidelines. Through a series of open-ended questions and consensus-building rounds, 13 key statements were generated, focusing on mental health promotion, prevention, and the responsibilities of various sport governance levels. The 13 generated statements are as follows (see Liddelow et al., 2024): 

Role of Recreational Sport Organizations:

1. Mandatory mental health literacy training for all adults who work with children.
2. Mandatory mental health literacy training for others within the club who then take up a role as Mental Health Officer, or first responder. 
3. Clubs should offer mental health literacy programs to all members. 
4. Clubs should normalise conversations about mental health and provide a safe space for those conversations. 
5. Sports environment should be free from psychological harm (for example, bullying, harassment, distress, pressure). 
6. Sports should include a psychologically healthy environment that promotes mental health (for example, physical activity, social connections, inclusivity, community engagement, healthy food) 
7. Evidence-based approaches to coaching should be offered through coach education programs. 
8. Adults and volunteers within clubs need to know how to recognise and refer individuals to the appropriate service providers in their state or region. 

Responsibilities: 

1. National sporting bodies should be responsible for the development and dissemination of policies and resources related to approaching mental health prevention, or promotion and care in community sport. 
2. National sporting bodies should create partnerships with external mental health service providers. 
3. State sporting bodies should be responsible for organising and implementing mental health literacy programs and training in associations and clubs. 
4. State sporting bodies and associations should both be responsible for monitoring and ensuring associations and clubs are implementing the policies recommended by the national sporting bodies. 
5. It is the responsibility of clubs to implement the mental health prevention, promotion, and care policies and resources provided to them.

From statements to actions

Following the development of these initial statements, the Australian team engaged in 3 additional components to finalize the mental health guidelines (Liddelow et al., 2022). Over 2 days an expert guideline committee was recruited and reviewed the evidence, incorporated feedback from participants, and refined the scope and purpose of the guidelines. Each proposed guideline topic was discussed and put to a confidential real-time vote, with a requirement that at least 80% of the committee agree before a guideline could be accepted. If consensus wasn’t reached, further discussion took place, followed by another vote. 

The final phase of the process involved pilot testing the guidelines in recreational sport clubs across Australia during a regular sport season (Liddelow et al., 2022). This pilot, which is ongoing, follows a case study design, where various data sources were collected to understand how the guidelines were naturally implemented within sport organizations. Throughout the season, surveys are administered at multiple time points to assess club participants’ awareness and the effectiveness of the guidelines. Additionally, follow-up focus group interviews are conducted with members from each club.

Why Canada should follow suit

Canada has much to gain from developing mental health guidelines in recreational sports. Implementing such guidelines would provide a clear process for athletes, coaches and parents and guardians to help them recognize and treat mental health concerns of their own and among their peers (Vella et al., 2021). For coaches, who play a significant role in shaping the sports environment, they would benefit from training on recognizing mental health issues and adopting evidence-based approaches to create inclusive and psychologically safe environments or establishing a mental health champion to help support such a role. Parents too, may gain confidence knowing their children are in a setting that prioritizes mental health and well-being, helping them to better support their athletic and emotional development. 

Another group in the youth sport system that warrant mental health protection are officials (Lishman et al., 2024). Often under pressure to manage competitive spirits and problematic behaviour, officials would have clear protocols to follow regarding their own abuse and anything else they witness. For organization members like club administrators, they would benefit from structured policies that promote mental health, which can lead to higher engagement and retention rates as well as a stronger sense of community. For example, a club that normalizes conversations about mental health could see reduced instances of bullying and increased cohesion, making the sport a more rewarding experience for everyone.

Practical suggestions for developing and implementing guidelines

To create effective mental health guidelines for Canadian recreational sports, a collaborative and inclusive approach among the sport community is necessary. Here’s how we can ensure the guidelines are both impactful and relevant:

• Engaging everyone involved in sport: It’s important to bring together athletes, coaches, parents and guardians, and community leaders in the guideline development process. Their insights and experiences will help shape guidelines that truly address the needs and concerns of everyone involved in the sports community. 
• Celebrating Canada’s diversity: The guidelines should reflect Canada’s rich diversity by incorporating inclusive practices that consider the cultural, linguistic, and regional differences across the country. By celebrating diversity, we can ensure that mental health support is accessible and relevant to all participants, regardless of their background.
• Giving voice to Canada’s sport leaders: Involving members from various national and provincial and territorial sport organizations is key. These leaders bring valuable perspectives from different levels of sport, helping to create guidelines that are practical and applicable across the entire Canadian sports landscape.
• Including experts: To develop well-rounded guidelines, it’s important to include experts from both the sport and mental health domains. Their combined expertise ensures that the guidelines are not only grounded in the realities of sports but also backed by the latest mental health research and practices.

A call to action 

The development of mental health guidelines for recreational sports in Canada is not just a valuable addition to the existing framework of support for athletes, it’s a necessity. By learning from Australia’s approach, Canada can take proactive steps to create sports environments that are not only physically safe but also psychologically safe (Vella et al., 2021). As we move forward, the emphasis must be on inclusivity, wellbeing, and the creation of positive sports experiences for all participants.

It is time for Canadian sport organizations, policymakers, and community leaders to come together and prioritize the mental health of all involved in recreational sport. By developing and implementing comprehensive mental health guidelines, we can ensure that sport continues to be a source of joy, health, and community for generations to come.