Mental health refers to a person's mental state, well-being, and ability to cope with the daily stresses of life. Good mental health also means that one has the ability to be mentally resilient, have a good life balance, having an absence of mental disorders and the ability to enjoy life. Elite athletes such as those competing in the Australian Football League(AFL) can experience a range of stressors that are unique to the sporting environment, such as performance pressure, travel, selection pressures, racial vilification and abuse, and public and media scrutiny. Studies show that elite athletes experience mental health challenges and conditions at rates that are reasonably comparable with the rest of the population. While elite sport can come with additional stressors for athletes, sport can also promote wellbeing, with athletes, including Australian Rules footballers, experiencing higher rates of flourishing and emotional wellbeing than their non-athlete counterparts.
Industry-wide strategy In 2024, the AFL launched a comprehensive Industry Mental Health Strategy designed to embed mental health and wellbeing support across football systems. The strategy focuses on four pillars, Prevent & Empower, Promote, Respond, and Continuously Improve. The strategy outlines targeted action plans for players, coaches, umpires, staff, and talent development pathways. It aims to increase protective factors, reduce risk factors, and foster a culture in which all individuals “are supported to thrive in football, work and life”
Mental Health & Wellbeing in the Talent Pathway Additionally, The AFL extends its Mental Health & Wellbeing strategy into talent development systems, embedding preventative mental health education and support across its national pathways. Implementation is coordinated by regionally based Wellbeing Managers under the broader oversight of the AFL’s Mental Health & Wellbeing team, ensuring consistent and systemic delivery across states and competitions. This approach aligns with the AFL’s Industry Mental Health Strategy and Charter, reinforcing a youth-first model that prioritises prevention, early intervention, and a strong support network from grassroots to professional ranks.
Society and culture Athletes are sometimes viewed as superheroes or as needing to be strong. This perception can sometimes make it harder for athletes to acknowledge mental health challenges or seek help. Other barriers to help seeking that are specific to sport include concerns around selection or playing time. However, athletes seek mental health help at approximately the same rate as the rest of the Australian population. Access to services within the elite sport setting and practitioners who understand sport facilitates accessing mental health services for athletes. Promoting mental health across all levels of the sport system and providing access to mental health practitioners help to protect the mental health and wellbeing of athletes
History There have been a few cases made public of AFL players suffering from mental health problems. In 2015 it was noted that Mitch Clark from Geelong Football Club has been suffering from mental health problems. Also in 2015 Adam Goodes took a week off training and playing because of the 'emotional toll' he was put under during the season, receiving boos and racist comments from the crowd. He was also under analyses by the media which was all too much for him so it led to him taking time off and away from the sport. Barry Hall was also seen to be suffering mental health problems, admitting he had been suffering depression throughout his AFL career and that he "had nothing to get out of bed for" (Hall, 2011). Simon Hogan was another player who came out about their depression and had contemplated killing himself during his career. Lance Picioane who played for Adelaide, Hawthorn and the Kangaroos said how he struggled to understand that he was actually suffering from depression and that it wasn't him just feeling a little bit down.
Stressors and Causes There are many stressors and demands in elite sport that can impact the mental health and wellbeing of athletes, including Players in the AFL. AFL and AFLW Players reported that financial pressure, including social pressures around spending and maintaining sense of belonging, and social media and public scrutiny were their biggest sources of stress
Pressures and expectations Pressure to win and to perform well week in and week out can be a factor that impacts wellbeing and mental health for some AFL players. This is often found with younger players who are just starting to play at the elite level. AFL and AFLW Players are also often role models, and this can sometimes be a source of stress.
Injuries Injury and the risk of injury can also influence mental health. Being injured also means they cannot exercise as much and this sudden drop in physical activity levels makes the player more likely to become anxious or depressed as physical activity is a mood enhancer. On average a total of 40 players miss a total of 142 games a season. The whole process of finding out about their injury to rehabilitation and returning to the sport can be an emotional roller-coaster for players, and it can be difficult to learn of the news, continue with rehab, and players can also have fear of reinjury when they return to sport.
Other The pressure of location and relocation is another stressor for players, and can be especially hard for draftees who move away from home and their social support networks. When drafting comes around young players are unsure what team will draft them. Having to relocate their entire lives to go train and play with a team is such a stress on the young players and can cause anxiety. Starting in a new team with new people, a new training structure and lifestyle can be a big shock to some players and they may experience social anxiety and exclusion which could lead to negative thoughts. During the week each player is critiqued by coaching staff to see where they can improve in their game, but constantly being under the pump can be mentally exhausting for players. The environment in which they live and train in impacts a players mental health as it can affect the mental resilience which they build and creates their personality which could affect if they fit in or not.
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