Athlete mental health challenges are gender specific

According to a recent study, female and male athletes experience distinct mental health challenges. Female athletes more frequently report anxiety, depression and disordered eating, while male athletes are more likely to struggle with alcohol, drugs and gambling. Tailored strategies are essential to effectively support female and male athletes.

Promoting mental health help-seeking in athletes

Seeking help for mental health can be difficult for athletes, and researchers are trying to understand why. According to one study, challenges that many athletes face include limited access to mental health support and fear of judgement from others when seeking help. Having role models and teams that promote mental health can play an important…

How parents can help their child cope with getting “cut”

Deselection, or being “cut” from a team, can be tough for young competitive athletes. Parents can help their child cope with being cut from a team by being positive and using the “console first, talk later” rule. Allow your child time to process their emotions for 24 to 48 hours before talking to them about…

Pain relief medication in elite athletes

An alarming number of elite athletes rely on pain relief medication to compete through injuries or enhance performance. Despite some caution about side effects, self-administration is common and can be influenced by coaches and medical staff.

Supporting racialized student athletes

Racialized student athletes may experience higher levels of poor mental health. A recent consensus seeking process undertaken among NCAA student athletes, educators, administrators, and health professionals identified 42 strategies for higher education institutions to address the mental health needs of racialized student athletes. Examples include having clear pathways to report discrimination, having diversity in sports…

Comparing anxiety levels in individual vs. team sports

In a study exploring how anxiety levels differed among athletes in individual versus team sports, individual sport athletes reported higher levels of anxiety compared team sport athletes. Female athletes also reported higher levels of anxiety than male athletes. The results of this study point to the importance of tailored mental health supports for athletes based…

Reducing anxiety in older adults

The mental health benefits of sports for children are frequently discussed, but what about the benefits for older adults? A recent review found that sport participation can significantly reduce anxiety levels in older adults, showing the importance of providing older adults with opportunities to get involved in sport.

Lifestyle sports and positive development

Many lifestyle sports like climbing, parkour, and surfing can inspire joy, creativity, and connection, helping young people thrive. This study reveals how these dynamic activities foster mental well-being, social bonds, and holistic personal development.

The hidden currents of Canadian sport: A deep dive with SIRC’s new podcast 

In the world of sports, we often celebrate the visible: the gold medals, the game-winning goals, the perfect routines executed under the bright lights of competition. But beneath the surface of every athletic performance lies a complex web of forces—psychological, structural, and cultural—that shape an athlete’s journey long before they ever step into competition.  This…

Concussions and mental health

A recent study exploring the relationship between concussion and poor mental health found that youth with pre-existing mental health challenges were more likely to experience more emotional symptoms, like sadness, and a longer recovery time. Being aware of this increased risk and addressing mental health challenges early on in the recovery is crucial for supporting…