The role of coaches in supporting mental health and performance
In today’s high performance sporting environments, the role of coaches extends far beyond technical instruction and tactical strategy. Coaches are not only responsible for developing athletic skill but also play a crucial role in shaping the overall wellbeing of their athletes. Mental health, once considered outside the purview of coaching, is now recognised as a fundamental component of sustainable performance and human resilience. Coaches, through their daily interactions and influence, are uniquely positioned to support athletes’ mental wellbeing. By fostering open communication, creating effective educational spaces, and recognising signs of distress, coaches can help athletes thrive both on and off the field.
Fostering open communication
The foundation of mental health support in sport begins with communication. Coaches who model openness, and empathy invite athletes to share their concerns without fear of judgment. Simple acts of asking how an athlete is doing beyond their performance, listening attentively, and validating feelings, can go a long way in breaking down stigma around mental health. Encouraging regular check-ins not only strengthens trust but also signals to athletes that their holistic wellbeing matters as much as their results. Coaches who normalise conversations about the developmental journey, acknowledging stress, pressure, and personal challenges, help create a culture where seeking support and problem solving is viewed as a strength rather than a weakness.
Creating safe and supportive spaces
Athletes perform at their best when they feel supported and have the ability to co-create an environment. Coaches are instrumental in creating team cultures where respect, inclusion, and care are non-negotiable values. A safe and productive environment is one where mistakes are treated as opportunities to learn, diversity is embraced, and athletes feel free to express themselves without fear of humiliation or exclusion. When coaches balance high expectations with support and consideration, they cultivate resilience and a sense of belonging. These conditions are vital for protecting a person’s talent development and mental health, particularly in high-pressure sporting environments where athletes may otherwise feel isolated or vulnerable.
Recognising signs of distress
Coaches are often the first to notice subtle changes in an athlete’s behaviour. Decreased motivation, withdrawal from teammates, uncharacteristic irritability, being chronically under recovered, or fluctuations in performance can be early warning signs of psychological distress. Given that coaches are not mental health professionals, they do not need to diagnose or treat; however, simply recognising that something may be wrong is powerful. Coaches who are trained to identify these signs can take timely action, such as checking in with the athlete, offering support, and guiding them toward appropriate resources. By responding with care rather than criticism, coaches can help prevent minor struggles from escalating into more serious mental health concerns and instead protect their performance and development.
Conclusion
The role of the coach has always been central to athlete development, but in modern sport, it also carries a duty of care for mental wellbeing. Through open communication, creating effective learning environments, and attentive awareness, coaches can provide critical support that protects athletes’ mental health while enhancing performance. In doing so, they affirm a simple but profound truth: athletes are people first, and their success is measured not only by what they achieve in competition but also by how they are supported to grow, endure, and flourish in life.
Additional resources:
Olympians are super fit. That doesn’t mean we’re healthy
https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/article/2024/jul/23/olympics-athletes-health-fitness?utm_source=chatgpt.com
How Coaches Can Be a Source of Mental Health Support for Student-Athletes
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/how-coaches-can-be-an-source-of-mental-health-support-for-student-athletes/2024/03?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Llanos-Muñoz, R., Pulido, J. J., Nobari, H., Raya-González, J., & López-Gajardo, M. A. (2023). Effect of coaches’ interpersonal style on young athletes’ individual resilience and team adherence intention: A season-long investigation. BMC Psychology, 11(1), 412.
https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-023-01445-3?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Liu, R., Wang, S., & Li, J. (2025). How coach leadership behavior influences athletes’ performance: The chain-mediated role of the coach-athlete relationship and psychological fatigue. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1500867.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11794316/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
