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Brief history
Mental illness and the stigma attached to those suffering from its affects have been part of human existence throughout history. 1 Despite efforts to bring more awareness to the causation and effective treatment of mental health issues, this stigma persists both socially and in the athletic culture. Long established beliefs have proven to be as challenging to change as many of the other discriminatory practices receiving media attention, political dialogue and legal debate (eg, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gay marriage, immigration, legalisation of recreational drugs). Although these other issues have their own set of challenges that inhibit healthy social change, a thread of historical stereotyping is common to all of them, including mental health.
Prevalence of mental health issues
The US Department of Health and Services (USDHS) reported in 2012 that 1 in 5 adults (20%) experience a mental health issue each year. 2 USDHS also reported that rate increased to 30% in the age group 18-25 years, yet less than one-third of those in this age group received treatment. This age range encompasses many athletes in high school, collegiate and professional athletics.
Sport culture regarding mental health
The stigma attached to athlete mental health issues are driven by many factors including: Social history;
Sport organisations motivated to be profitable;
People within those organisations who are driven to be successful;
Individual athletes who are...