Mental Health Awareness
USSF
Summary
This resource provides a comprehensive overview of mental health in sport, emphasizing the importance of creating safe, inclusive environments where players, referees, coaches, parents, and administrators can thrive. It outlines warning signs of mental health struggles, stigma reduction strategies, and approaches for having supportive conversations.
Topics covered include:
- The prevalence and risk factors of mental health conditions in sport.
- Early warning signs across behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and physical domains.
- The differences between mental performance and mental health.
- Stigma reduction and culture change in sport environments.
- Practical strategies for creating supportive team environments.
- Resources and crisis lines for immediate mental health support.
The guide encourages all members of the soccer community to see the person, not just the role, and to take responsibility for supporting one another.
HOW AND WHEN IT CAN HELP
- As a training resource for coaches, referees, parents, and administrators to recognize and respond to mental health concerns.
- To create club or league-wide culture change around openness and support.
- For integrating mental health awareness into safe sport and safeguarding policies.
- As a reference for directing individuals to professional resources and crisis support.
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
This slide deck offers a ready to go presentation on mental health awareness that clubs and organizations can use to share fundament and practical knowledge with their teams. It combines data with practical strategies, can help reduce stigma and equipping readers with actionable steps to foster safe and supportive environments. The inclusion of national mental health resources also ensures that readers know where to find immediate help.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING THIS RESOURCE
- If your team are having conversations with players about mental health you should ensure they have the training and support they need to do this safely, and a network of mental health professionals that they can signpost players and families to where necessary,
- Organizations should promote mental health awareness on an ongoing basis, not as a one-off initiative.
- Crisis resources should always be shared widely and kept up to date.
- Resources like this can help coaches and other people working in soccer to support players with their mental health. It’s important to note that training does not replace a need for professional treatment, care, and consultation.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
As the governing body of soccer in all its forms in the United States. U.S. Soccer exists in service to soccer. Our ambition is to ignite a national passion for soccer. We believe soccer is more than a sport, it is a force for good.’ To learn more visit USSoccer.com.
Coaches, referees and other members of the soccer community can access a wide range of other articles and training opportunities, including related to mental health, on the US Soccer Learning Center.
CREDITING CONTRIBUTORS
The Resource Hub is made possible by the generosity of contributors. It demonstrates the rich expertise and collective team spirit that exists across our soccer community.
All resources that have been contributed to the Resource Hub are free for users of the Hub to learn from, adapt and implement in their own organization and community.
Where relevant, we encourage users of the resources to formally or informally credit the resource creator, to acknowledge their expertise and generosity.