A 2021 study of elite young footballers in development programs found that "psychological stress, anxiety of competition, disruption to family life, demanding schedules, physical exhaustion, abusive relationships with coaches" were some of the main challenges that impacted their wellbeing. These stressors can culminate in players experiencing a lack of confidence, depression, and even suicide. Premature deaths of academy players have prompted many teams to take action in recent years.
Some teams have taken action voluntarily, but others are simply following new requirements. For example, England's academy football system requires top academies to employ a full-time academy psychologist, designate a mental and emotional wellbeing lead, and ensure all age groups "receive education" on the topic of mental health. In many clubs, the effectiveness of these efforts ultimately depends on the individual club's financial resources. Many people who have worked/played for youth academies report that these efforts are not effective in breaking down the stigma.
Do you believe psychologists and mental health professionals should play a greater role within European youth academies or does the responsibility for players' mental health lie elsewhere?
It is good to see that mental health is beginning to be taken more seriously in European football. This is a very serious issue and a very prevalent one as well. These young kids are dedicating their entire lives to the sport from a very young age, which leads to large amounts of stress. On top of that, as kids go through puberty and develop their own identity, certain mental health struggles often arise. I do believe that employing psychologists and mental health professionals in the academy programs is a good idea. It can provide a necessary resource for these young athletes that can improve their overall well being. In addition, with less mental health issues, there is a higher chance that these kids are able to perform well on the field, so from a business perspective it would make sense for the clubs to employ these psychologists and mental health professionals in order to get the best possible results out of their youth.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply Robert, I absolutely agree. As you brought up, the stress put on these young athletes is intense and immediate. They put football ahead of anything else which can be harmful for their mental health. Giving them professional resources to learn how they can properly handle the stressors in their lives is important both for off the field and on the field.
DeleteI really enjoyed your post and found it very insightful. I think it is extremely important and awesome that mental health is being taken more seriously in European football now. It is something that almost every single in the person deals with at one time or another. Mental health can arise through life changes and life periods and it is important especially for athletes to be able to express themselves and feel heard when they feel like they are struggling especially for there own performance and there team.
ReplyDeleteOpen communication with coaches and trainers needs to be a priority for these youth football academies. As you mentioned, the ability to express themselves is key. If athletes don't feel comfortable bringing up their health concerns with coaches mental health among players will not be handled properly. Especially since the players spend so much time with their football coaches, the coaches themselves should also become mental health advocates for the players.
DeleteOne of the most overlooked things in all of sports is the toll that mental health can have on an athlete. Especially, athletes that are performing at a high level and carry high expectations with them. There is an immense amount of pressure to perform to the best of your ability day in and day out while essentially devoting all of your time and attention to the sport. I absolutely believe that psychologists should play a bigger role in youth academies across Europe. Youth athletes are extremely susceptible to mental health issues and it is important that they are properly treated as much and as often as possible. It would be in the best interest of ownership to provide these resources and this can have drastic impacts upon their players and improve their performance on the field. However, more than anything, it is essential to help ensure mental safety for these young athletes to keep them mentally safe and involved in the sport they love as long as possible.
ReplyDelete-Kyle Forbes
Hey Kyle, I liked your response and agree that mental health is extremely overlooked. I think athletes that are playing at a high level or are considered stars in their sport, get a lot of unwanted hate and this could also lead to mental health problems. Adding a psychologist to youth programs is a great idea and can show the younger generation to prioritize their own mental health.
DeleteGreat points Kyle. In the source article of the post, they reference the experiences of athletes that experienced mental health issues while they played. For many of them, their mental health issues greatly hindered their performance. For one player specifically, his mental health decline led to low confidence which resulted in him not playing as well as he had in the past. Had he been given the support necessary to improve his mental health, I believe he would have slowly regained his confidence and returned to the athlete he had been when he was younger.
DeleteThis is a very interesting article. I believe that mental health plays a major role on an athlete and it needs to be a priority. European soccer players are subject to high stress environments from a very young age that is highly competitive. Mental Health should play a greater role in programs and it is a shame that some clubs just support the bare minimum. Promoting mental health not only helps the players but the club owners as players will be able to play at a higher level. Providing resources that are effective and easily available should be a main focus on all clubs.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of mental health in European youth soccer academies is definitely gaining attention as time goes on. Players face this certain pressure, with fears of just simply appearing weak if they speak out on it. I believe mental health also plays a major role on athletes and they need to feel as if they can speak out on it comfortably. Some teams have hired team psychologists to help these athletes and while the academies play a role, it is definitely a shared responsibility through all coaches, parents, and even just the society to help create supportive environments. Having psychologists in youth academies is definitely important. They help offer support to these young athletes. Through offering this support, we can create a healthier environment for these younger and even older athletes!
ReplyDelete-Spencer Joseph
Love this! The responsibility falls on everybody to help support the athletes. I think you bring up an important point with the broader European society. Since many people worship football in Europe, this reinforces the idea that athletes should sacrifice their mental health in pursuit of football opportunities. Additionally, all athletes will benefit from a greater emphasis on mental health. For many larger clubs they have sports psychologists on staff, but for smaller clubs they must do all they can to support mental health resources offered to players.
DeleteMental health is a very prominent issue that has come to light more often in recent years. I think the hiring of a team/program psychologist is a step in the right direction. Although, I am sure it is hard for these young athletes to feel comfortable reaching out and utilizing their resources because as you stated, they do not want to be looked at as weak. I think a better alternative would be to have the coaches work with a psychologist, and be trained to look for potential signs of depression, and other mental health related symptoms throughout their organization. Although, I understand that it may be hard for players to turn to their coaches about these issues because in some cases, the coach is the culprit of the problem. So, an additional resource could be the trainers, and other staff members that may have a more open-relationship with the players where they may feel more confident turning to them about their issues. In all, I think that the responsibility of these issues lay within the programs as these are young kids that are not entirely aware of the amount of stress they put themselves through on a daily basis. - David Brubach
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree David. Open communication can go a long way to improving mental health. Simply having the first conversation about an athlete's mental health is a significant step. One example I think trainers or coaches could implement is simply having 1 on 1 conversations with athletes about mental health. Whether it be about their own challenges with mental health or the athletes, it can at least break down the barriers to discussing mental health in football.
Deletet's evident that psychologists and mental health professionals should play a greater role within European youth academies. The competitive nature of these academies places immense pressure on young players, leading to various mental health challenges. Players in every sport have been struggling and a great example of that is US Gymnast Simone Biles. Biles has openly struggled with mental health challenges, bravely stepping away from competitions to prioritize her wellbeing and shed light on the importance of mental health in sports. There have been many ideas on how to help players and coaches through their mental crises, but few have seen a strong result. What do you think the absolute best course of action is, or the one that can be successful for the masses?
ReplyDeleteI think Simone Biles is a great example of how addressing concerns with mental health can lead to great performance benefits. Biles was able to take a step away from gymnastics while she addressed her mental health and then returned better than ever. I think a great course of action is to address mental health in a similar way as physical health and allow players to take time off to heal their mental health without negative consequences.
Delete-Shane Levey^^^^
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Yes, having psychologists and mental health professionals more involved in European youth soccer academies is important for the development of young players. Coaches and teammates can provide support, but mental health experts offer professional care to help players navigate the challenges they face. Having these experts on board gives players tools to help them deal with the pressures of the game. Creating a culture of support where athletes feel comfortable talking about their mental health is crucial.
ReplyDeletePsychologists and mental health professionals should play a more prominent role in European youth soccer academies. The intense competition and high expectations from a young age contribute to significant mental health challenges for aspiring players. The responsibility for players' mental well-being lies primarily with the academies, given the rigorous nature of their programs. Integrating mental health support, mandatory education, and accessible professionals can destigmatize mental health issues and provide vital assistance to young athletes. While financial constraints may affect implementation, the long-term benefits of fostering a mentally healthy environment, including improved player welfare and performance, justify the investment. It's a shared responsibility involving coaches, staff, and mental health professionals to prioritize the holistic development of young talents.
ReplyDelete-Devin Weber
Hey Devin! Your point on financial constraints is key in this discussion. I do think that having trained professionals is worth the investment and also believe cheaper alternatives exist. Mental health training for coaches and players could also be used to teach everyone involved about the importance of mental health without the cost of employing a full-time mental health professional.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog post! In this day and age it's so difficult because sports are becoming a lifestyle rather than just a hobby that keeps kids active. In the realm of European youth soccer academies, we really need a greater involvement of psychologists and mental health professionals to help combat this. Early intervention, education, and personalized support are key in keeping young athletes healthy not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. By integrating psychologists into their lives, we can help players thrive both on and off the field.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a interesting read, and not something that is brought up everyday. The article sheds light on a critical issue within European youth soccer academies: the stigma surrounding mental health and the challenges young players face in seeking support. It's concerning to learn that despite the highly competitive nature of these academies and the intense pressure young players experience from a young age, there remains a significant reluctance to open up about mental health struggles due to fear of being perceived as weak. While some steps have been taken, such as the introduction of mandatory mental health provisions in certain academies, it's clear that more needs to be done to break down the stigma and provide adequate support for young players. Prioritizing the mental wellbeing of young athletes is essential for their long-term success and overall health, and it's encouraging to see efforts being made to address this important issue. - Morgan Lyons
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up a great point about long-term success. I think it is easy to focus on the athletes' performance at this age and disregard the rest of their lives. Since youth soccer players are developing habits they will carry with them into adulthood, it is crucial to give them strategies and resources that they can use in soccer or elsewhere in the future.
DeleteGreat article and very interesting proposed question! I think that the responsibility does lie within the individual teams or the governing board to reconsider regulations for the necessities of mental health. I understand that it is expensive, however maybe regulations should provide a certain amount of money that is put towards mental health education or hiring a mental health professional. Even if it is too expensive, this doesn't limit individual clubs to lend a helping hand. Knowing that your teammates and coaches are there for you can go a long ways, and it doesn't cost a dime. It would be interesting too to implement different things such as training for coaches on how to speak to athletes. What is your individual experience as an athlete on the stigmatization of mental health for athletes?
ReplyDelete- Kathleen
I played water polo while I was younger and experienced a very positive environment that supported my mental health. I was fortunate that my coach throughout high school had a background in psychology and encouraged us to talk about our mental health struggles. I felt very comfortable talking about my mental health with coaches/teammates as a result. If this attitude towards mental health was brought to youth football academies, I believe players would be healthier overall and perform better.
DeleteIt is a great thing for football and its fans to start to destigmatize mental health issues. The NHL has done something very similar with great success, by allowing players to enter what are essentially mental health breaks while maintaining their contracts and benefits. This has started conversations about mental health among hockey players and fans with almost all positive reactions, and hopefully the same thing can happen in the football community. -Ollie Brown
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear the NHL has implemented mental health breaks! For many youth soccer players, these mental health breaks would help alleviate the worry of getting cut from teams for focusing on their mental health. Additionally, it would allow players to focus all their energy on their mental health during the break and come back to play even stronger than when they left.
DeleteI think it is really important that mental health is more prominent lately and especially with sports. I am appreciative that some of the teams have implemented these measures as you said. I believe that mental health professionals should indeed play a greater role in supporting the players mental health within youth academies. It is important to start this early on. The responsibility for players' mental wellbeing also goes beyond the academy system, including families and communities
ReplyDeleteI do believe that psychologists and mental health professionals should play a greater role within European youth academies because youth football academies create the perfect storm for creating mental health issues. There is such a competitive nature of the academies and there is a lot of pressure on the kids to meet coaches' expectations. At this young of an age these kids need more attention when it comes to mental health. Being in this type of environment at such a young age can affect their self confidence and ability to speak out in situations that they feel uncomfortable in. Having mental health professionals present can help young children identify and manage their anxiety and help them create healthy habits to implement in their everyday lives.
ReplyDelete-Meaghan Stack