Athlete Mental Health and Performance
Modern society is increasingly demanding and challenging for young people and continues to result in a growing incidence of mental health issues.
High performance athletes are not immune to this. But it is clear their readiness to perform relies on the intricate balance between their physical and mental state.
In the case of elite athletes, the additional pressures of international competition may magnify emotions. If associated factors are ignored, this is likely to impact performance and could lead to compounding health issues.
We believe this Athlete Mental Health and Performance approach is a critical element of HPSNZ’s wider Wellbeing Framework and is underpinned by its principles of transparency, inclusion and continuous growth.
The concept outlined in this approach is founded on the fundamental belief that these elements are essential for optimising people and performance in high performance sporting environments.
Download Athlete Mental Health and Performance
This document provides an easy to read high level overview of the athlete mental health and performance approach including information to help athletes, their families, coaches and others in their support networks.
Athlete Mental Health and Performance (PDF 3.4MB)
Athlete Mental Health and Performance (ISSUU link)
Athlete Mental Health and Performance: A Systems Approach
This document provides a more detailed and analytical background to the mental health and performance challenges for high performance athletes and details a 2024-2028 system approach to athlete mental health in sport. It aims to guide the planning and implementation of mental health promotion, prevention programmes and healthcare services delivered across the high performance sport sector and presents an overview of the principles and strategies which can be used to help navigate the mental health of people in the high performance sport community.
Download Athlete Mental Health and Performance: A Systems Approach (PDF 384KB)
Research Summary – March 2023
This research into athlete stressors and mental wellbeing represents an important opportunity to gain critical insights into the mental health and wellbeing of New Zealand’s high performance athletes and evidence on which to base future wellbeing support for athletes.
This investigation aimed to assess the nature of stress elite athletes are experiencing, how many athletes within the New Zealand high performance sport system are experiencing depressive/low mood symptoms and to what degree.
The research assessed athlete stress by looking at everyday tasks that could be viewed as ‘stress-causing hassles’ for an individual. (Hassles refer to day-to-day annoyances that can, when added up, become a large part of a person’s overall stress.)
This research was independent, carried out by Massey University, and endorsed and supported by HPSNZ.
The findings outlined below highlight the importance of maintaining an active focus on the mental health of high performance athletes.
