Sports-based Interventions Showcase Promise in Enhancing Youth Mental Health
Sports-based interventions are proving to be a powerful tool in promoting positive change in mental health outcomes among young individuals. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at Flinders University highlights the need for more targeted interventions specifically aimed at young males in sporting settings.
The study examined several Australian sport-based interventions, including ‘Ahead of the Game’, Read the Play, Talk Today, and the SportSA Mental Health Charter initiative supported by the Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation. These initiatives were found to be effective in addressing mental health literacy and awareness.
The scale of the mental health situation among young males is cause for concern. According to UNICEF, globally, 89 million males between the ages of 10 and 19 experience a mental health condition, with anxiety and depression being the most common. Suicide mortality rates are also notably higher among young males.
The review examined interventions aimed at promoting mental health among young males in sporting contexts. Out of the 15 studies included in the review, the findings indicated promising effects of sport-based interventions on mental health and mental health literacy outcomes.
An impressive 80% of the studies reported positive effects of sport-based interventions on mental health and wellbeing, as well as mental health literacy outcomes.
Lead researcher Dr. Jasmine Petersen from Flinders University’s College of Education, Psychology and Social Work emphasizes the importance of sport settings in mental health promotion. She believes that sports provide a valuable platform for enhancing mental wellbeing.
The interventions predominantly took place in community sporting clubs, where a higher proportion of them showed positive effects on mental health and wellbeing or mental health literacy outcomes (90%) compared to professional sporting clubs (66.6%) or university settings (50%).
The study findings also have significant implications for the future development and evaluation of sports-based interventions targeting young males. The research revealed a rapid growth in this field, with 86% of the examined studies published from 2018 onwards.
Associate Professor Ivanka Prichard, another co-author of the study, highlights the widespread reach of community sporting clubs. With approximately 75% of young Australian males participating in sports, primarily within sporting clubs, these clubs can play a crucial role in combating the prevalence of mental health problems in young males.
Poor mental health among young people is a pervasive issue, with data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022) showing that 39.6% of young individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 experience a mental health condition, commonly anxiety or affective disorders.
Co-author Associate Professor Sam Elliott, a sport psychology and coaching researcher at Flinders University, acknowledges the barriers that need to be overcome to establish and maintain a culture of mental health support in youth clubs. These include initial resistance, teething issues, and turbulence.
While some community-level youth sports programs have already embraced evidence-backed mental health and wellbeing programs, there is still a need for further implementation. With more than 75% of young people in Australia aged 12 to 24 participating in organized sports, it is essential to provide sustainable, long-term support to players, parents, club leaders, coaches, and volunteers.
The study concludes that sports settings hold immense potential for mental health promotion, and efforts to harness this potential should continue. By expanding evidence-based mental health programs in youth clubs and offering support to key stakeholders, the mental wellbeing of young individuals participating in sports can be substantially improved.
The recognition of sports as a valuable tool in addressing youth mental health is a significant step forward in creating a healthier and happier generation. By leveraging the power of sports, we can make a positive impact on the mental health outcomes of young individuals worldwide.
