Susanna Kola?Palmer|Kiara Lewis|Alison Rodriguez|Derrol Kola-Palmer
Help-Seeking for Mental Health Issues in Professional Rugby League Players
University of Huddersfield|University of Huddersfield|University of Leeds|University of Huddersfield
despite prevalence negative consequences mental health issues among elite athletes studies suggest many seek professional help understanding barriers facilitators helpseeking imperative reduce burden mental health symptoms disordersthis study aimed elucidate factors associated actual helpseeking behavior professional rugby football league rfl players england one club francea mixedmethods crosssectional online survey design used completed 167 professional rfl playersthe survey consisted measures mental health perceived psychological stress athletic identity knowledge player welfare actual helpseeking additionally one openended question allowed freetext comments barriers helpseekingthose sought help reported significantly higher psychological stress compared sought help helpseeking associated better mental health literacy higher perceived psychological stress multivariate analysis qualitative analysis revealed number perceived barriers helpseeking lower mental health literacy stigma prominentin one first studies examine actual helpseeking behavior professional rugby players sought help mental health personal issues characterized greater mental health literacy experiencing greater psychological stress players also identified feelings embarrassment pride fear shame act barriers seeking help mental health issues results suggest focusing increasing mental health literacy reducing stigma may increase helpseeking behavior mental health symptoms