Gavin Breslin|Andy Smith|Brad Donohue|Paul Donnelly|Stephen Shannon|Tandy Haughey|Stewart A. Vella|Christian Swann|Stewart T. Cotterill|Tadhg MacIntyre|Tim Rogers|Gerard Leavey
International consensus statement on the psychosocial and policy-related approaches to mental health awareness programmes in sport
University of Ulster|Centre for Mental Health|Edge Hill University|University of Nevada, Las Vegas|Gaelic Athletic Association|University of Ulster|University of Ulster|University of Wollongong|Southern Cross University|AECC University College|University of Limerick|University of Ulster|Centre for Mental Health
research focused mental health sport revealed need develop evidencesupported mental health practices sensitive sport culture particularly nonelite athletes consensus statement produced assist effective mental health awareness sport guide programme implementation rapidly emerging fieldthe agree reporting checklist 2016 used two international expert consultation meetings followed two online surveys experts 10 countries 30 organisations contributedsix objectives agreed 1 define mental health awareness service implementation constructs inclusion programmes delivered sporting environments 2 identify need develop use valid measures developmentally appropriate use intervention studies sporting populations including measures mental health quantify symptom severity also consider causal mediating factors go beyond pathology ie wellbeing optimisation 3 provide guidance selection appropriate models inform intervention design implementation evaluation 4 determine minimal competencies training involved sport support mental health experiencing mental illness refer mental health professionals 5 provide evidencebased guidance selecting mental health awareness implementation programmes sport acknowledge diversity quality assured 6 identify need administrators parents officials coaches athletes workers establish important roles promotion mental health various sports settingsthis article presents consensus statement recommended psychosocial policyrelated approaches mental health awareness programmes sport