Mental Health of Athletes

by Christine L. B. Selby

Publisher:

Bloomsbury Academic

, 2025

Overview

Sports can boost mood, reduce stress, and build confidence, but pressure to win and injuries can also lead to anxiety, eating disorders, and depression among athletes.

Part of Bloomsbury’s Health and Medical Issues Today series, Mental Health of Athletes is divided into three sections. Part I explores different aspects of the complex relationship between athletics and mental health. This includes both the positive and negative mental health impacts sports can have on athletes, as well as how different biological and social factors can influence an athlete’s health. This section also examines the role that age has on mental health, from youth sports to senior athletes, as well as the unique mental health challenges faced by disenfranchised groups such as disabled and LGBTQ+ athletes. Part II features coverage of several high-interest issues in this field, including the risk of suicide among athletes and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on athlete mental health. Part III provides a variety of useful materials, including illuminating case studies, a glossary, and a directory of resources.

Key Features

Examines both the positive and negative impacts sport can have on athletes and acknowledges the particular needs and challenges of a diverse range of athletes, from youth to professional players
Highlights important issues and controversies relevant to the topic, providing balanced and unbiased coverage
Offers illuminating case studies that use engaging real-world scenarios to explore key ideas and debates discussed in the book
Provides readers with a curated Directory of Resources to guide their search for additional information

Contents

Series Foreword
Acknowledgments
Preface

Part I: Overview
Chapter 1: Benefits of Sport on Mental Wellbeing
Chapter 2: Describing Mental Health & Common Mental Health Challenges in Athletes
Chapter 3: Biopsychosocial Factors Affecting Mental Health in Athletes
Chapter 4: Determining Whether an Athlete Has a Mental Health Challenge
Chapter 5: Unique Issues Related to Age or Competition Level
Chapter 6: Historically Disenfranchised Athlete Groups

Part II: Issues and Controversies
Chapter 7: Athlete Risk of Death by Suicide
Chapter 8: Personal, Interpersonal, and Intergenerational Trauma Chapter 9: eSports and Mental Health
Chapter 10: COVID-19 and Athlete Mental Health
Chapter 11: Concussion
Chapter 12: Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)

Part III. Scenarios
Scenario 1: Malik Has a Career-Ending Injury
Scenario 2: Chris is Bullied for Being Non-Binary
Scenario 3: Brenda’s Coach Triggers Her Trauma
Scenario 4: Samantha Has an Eating Disorder
Scenario 5: Lamar is Struggling to Fit in and Builds his Confidence Through Sport

Directory of Resources
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Product Details

• Title: Mental Health of Athletes
• Author: Christine L. B. Selby
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2025
• Logos Release Date: 2025
• Pages: 280
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9798765110669, 9781440881121, 144088112X
• Resource ID: LLS:9798765110669
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-09-05T11:29:02Z