Why the study?
An evidence-based, best practice document was needed to assist sports medicine physicians and the athletic care network with the detection, treatment, and prevention of mental health issues in competitive athletes.
This position statement provides evidence-based recommendations for sports medicine teams to detect, manage, and prevent mental health issues in competitive athletes.
Informs sports medicine protocols for athlete mental health; extends evidence into standardized recommendations for detection, management, and prevention.
The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine convened a panel of experts to provide an evidence-based, best practice document to assist sports medicine physicians and other members of the athletic care network with the detection, treatment, and prevention of mental health (MH) issues in competitive athletes. This statement discusses how members of the sports medicine team, including team physicians, athletic trainers, and MH providers, work together in providing comprehensive psychological care to athletes. It specifically addresses psychological factors in athletes including personality issues and the psychological response to injury and illness. The statement also examines the athletic culture and environmental factors that commonly impact MH, including sexuality and gender issues, hazing, bullying, sexual misconduct, and transition from sport. Specific MH disorders in athletes, such as eating disorders/disordered eating, depression and suicide, anxiety and stress, overtraining, sleep disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, are reviewed with a focus on detection, management, the effect on performance, and prevention. This document uses the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy to grade level of evidence.
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Chang et al. (2020) conducted a review in Mental health issues in competitive athletes. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine provides an evidence-based position statement on the detection, management, and prevention of mental health issues in competitive athletes.