Reflections on the Field of Mental Health in Sport: Critical Issues and Ways of Moving Forward

Abstract

In this epilogue to the special issue of Journal of Applied Sport Psychology on mental health in sport, we draw together just a few of the lessons that can be learned from the six papers presented within. Specifically, we draw attention to three issues that reflect the state of field: models of athlete mental health care; the role of recreational sports in mental health promotion; and, the need for improved study quality. All this is not an exhaustive list, we hope that the discussion of these s = issues can help to move the field forward. Lay Summary:In this epilogue to the Special Issue we draw together the contributions of the included papers and offer commentary on three issues facing the field: (1) models of athlete mental health care; (2) the role of recreational sports in mental health promotion; and, (3) the need for improved study quality.