Almost half of all Australians will experience mental ill-health in their lifetime, and the negative impacts on all domains of life can be profound. Mental health exists on a continuum across many domains and so while Talent Pathways, AFL and AFLW Players have higher rates of wellbeing than the general Australian population, mental health conditions are also observed in athlete populations at rates that are similar to the general population.

Mental healthcare in elite sport requires a whole system approach. Research from our team is contributing to better understanding athlete mental health and how best to create environments that support mental health and wellbeing.


Frameworks for promoting mental health in elite sport

A series of frameworks and models to promote that set the direction for enhancing and protecting mental health and wellbeing in elite sport have been developed in collaboration with AFL researchers.

 

Neurodiversity in elite sport

Neurodiversity in elite sport is a growing area of focus and research, as there is very limited research in this area. The AFL has been involved in two leading studies in Neurodiversity in elite sport.

 

Supporting mental health in elite sport

Prevention, early identification, and mental health promotion are important for protecting athlete mental health, and most research in sport has focused on these areas. Even with promotion and prevention in place, sometimes athletes will experience mental ill-health and there is less research into the best ways to respond to or treat mental health conditions for athletes and the context of high-performance sport. The AFL is investing in research into responding to mental ill-health for athletes.