Building a Team: Identifying Mental Health Champions

The mental health of athletes is a critical focus for modern sport organizations. However, fostering a mentally healthy environment requires a collective effort. At SPKN, we emphasize the importance of identifying and securing commitments from a diverse range of individuals who can contribute to mental health initiatives. Here’s how sport organizations can effectively build a team of mental health champions.

The Rationale for a Multidisciplinary Approach

Mental health is not the sole responsibility of any single individual or group. Instead, it requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves contributions from athletes, coaches, staff, and mental health professionals. This comprehensive involvement ensures that mental health initiatives are holistic and address various aspects of an athlete’s life, both on and off the field.

The 4Rs Framework for Identifying Contributors

SPKN uses the 4Rs Framework to identify potential contributors, which considers individuals’ roles, Requirements, Responsibilities, and Relationships within the sport organization.

• Role: What part can the individual play in supporting mental health? This could range from listening to athletes’ concerns to providing direct mental health services.
• Requirements: What education, training, and skills does the individual possess that can support mental health initiatives?
• Responsibilities: What specific actions and activities will the individual undertake to support mental health?
• Relationships: How will the individual communicate and collaborate with others within the organization to support mental health?

Key Contributors and Their Roles

Various individuals within a sport organization can serve as mental health contributors:

• Sport Psychologists: Lead the delivery of mental health programs, ensure services are evidence-based, and supervise other mental health professionals.
• Mental Health Clinicians: Provide clinical services based on referrals and understand the sport context.
• Mental Performance Coaches: Enhance athletes’ mental performance through skills instruction and make referrals for mental health services.
• Athletic Trainers: Care for athletes’ physical well-being and collaborate with mental health professionals.
• Coaches: Support athletes’ overall development and refer them to mental health services when necessary.
• Athletes: Encourage peers, listen non-judgmentally, and promote a supportive team environment.

Creating a mentally healthy sports organization is a collective effort that requires commitment from a diverse range of individuals. Using the 4Rs Framework, sport organizations can effectively identify and secure commitments from key contributors, ensuring a comprehensive approach to mental health. At SPKN, we are dedicated to supporting sport organizations in this endeavor, promoting mental well-being for all members of the sport community.

For more information and resources on building a team of mental health champions in your sport organization, visit SPKNmedia.org.