Sport is one of the most powerful tools for developing young people, but the growing commercialisation and competitiveness of school sport is placing many young athletes under extraordinary pressure at a time when they are still developing emotionally and psychologically.

From constant team selections, provincial representation commitments, scholarships, bursaries and social media exposure, the stakes are becoming increasingly high in elite school sport. 

While school athletes are often viewed as confident and resilient, research suggests they face unique psychological challenges. 

It’s important for parents, coaches and teachers to pay special attention to the young athletes, as it might not always be obvious that they are under psychological distress. 

Warning signals that distress is not just a lack of motivation or resilience, and that the young person may need a mental health conversation include:

• Increasing dread or anxiety around training or competition
• Heightened distress after an injury or selection setback
• Persistent irritability or mood changes
• Deteriorating functioning at school or home
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Withdrawal from friends or activities  or loss of enjoyment in regular activities or a previously-loved sport
• Excessive training despite illness or injury

It’s important for everyone to get involved in creating a psychologically healthy sporting environment. This includes:

• Normalising conversations about anxiety, stress and burnout
• Providing mental health screening and support for young athletes, with clearly signposted, confidential routes to accessing mental health support
• Offering additional support following injuries, prolonged rehabilitation, non-selection or a decision to move away from competitive sport
• Educating parents about the impact of excessive performance pressure, and the warning signs
• Creating team cultures that value effort, growth and wellbeing, and not only results

Content by South African Society of Psychiatrists.

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