Developing a mental wellbeing safety net

As a coach, it often feels like you are being pulled in every direction.

 

Player development, tactics, multi-disciplinary team management, performance analysis, personal life, meal prep, sleep, family...the list goes on.

 

Balancing these demands can be both overwhelming and time consuming. However, prioritising the mental wellbeing of your players is essential for creating a supportive and thriving team environment, and can often be achieved through indirect means.

 

An individual’s mental health consists of psychological, emotional and social elements, with each contributing towards building and sustaining mental wellbeing.

 

This is not simply the absence of mental illness, but rather a fluctuating state that can change based on numerous factors, either in, or outside, the sporting environment.

 

The term "mental illness" comprises any diagnosable psychological disorder, which can range from mild to severe, and has a detrimental effect on an individual’s thoughts, emotions and/or behaviour. Examples include generalised anxiety disorder and anorexia nervosa.

 

These terms are often conflated, but it is important to know the difference between the two when supporting your players.

 

For female players, specific challenges may require tailored approaches to ensure they feel supported, both on and off the pitch. 

 

The challenges may include societal pressures and balancing soccer with other responsibilities, such as education or family commitments, as well as performance pressures and tricky team dynamics.

 

By addressing these challenges thoughtfully, coaches can foster an environment that promotes mental wellbeing, as well as high performance.

 

Recognising changes

Coaches will often notice changes in a player’s behaviour or demeanour.

 

For example, uncharacteristic withdrawals from team-mates or social events, or sudden and consistent changes in mood, appetite or performance, may be indicative of a decrease in wellbeing. 

 

Being attuned to these may facilitate early intervention.

 

Organisational change

Beyond individual actions, coaches can advocate for systemic changes within their clubs or organisations to better support female players’ mental health. 

 

This includes providing training for coaches on recognising mental health concerns and responding to them.

 

Furthermore, actively modelling healthy approaches to your own wellbeing, and proactively having conversations around mental health in the club environment, may reduce stigma, which research demonstrates can be a barrier to athletes demonstrating health-seeking behaviours.

 

Collaboration

If you have the resources to consult mental health professionals who have experience of working with female athletes, this can be an appropriate way to support your athletes. 

 

There are also a number of charities who can provide players with mental health support free of charge, or opportunities for staff to be trained in mental health first aid.

 

Encouraging peer support

Peer relationships can be an invaluable source of support for female players. 

 

Strong team cohesion has been evidenced to be even more important for female athletes than male ones, in terms of performance. It also often translates into improved mental health outcomes, through facilitating emotion-focused coping approaches.

 

Coaches can facilitate this by organising informal spaces for players to connect off the pitch, or through arranging former players to come and share their experiences of managing their own mental health throughout their career. 

 

Create tailored support plans

Behind every player, there is always the person. 

 

Understanding their specific needs, through one-to-one conversations, can help you understand their goals, challenges, and stressors, both in the club environment and away from football.

 

It can also assist you in developing personalised strategies which support their mental health and performance.