A qualitative examination of factors inhibiting and facilitating professional mental health help-seeking following injury in sub-elite club Gaelic footballers

Mental health issues are common in Gaelic footballers, with injury significantly increasing the risk of experiencing symptoms of a common mental disorder. However, professional help-seeking is not common in athletes, with a preference for informal help sources who may be untrained and inexperienced to provide help and support. Participation at the sub-elite, or club, level represents the broadest playing population in Gaelic football and therefore, the current study aimed to examine the barriers and facilitators to professional mental health help-seeking among sub-elite adult Gaelic footballers. Male (n=14) and female (n=13) sub-elite Gaelic footballers with a history of injury participated in a focus group. Focus groups were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Education, the attitudes, actions and opinions of others and accessibility were perceived as key barriers and facilitators to help-seeking among sub-elite Gaelic footballers. Negative self-attitudes to help-seeking and characteristics of the professional help-provider were identified as additional barriers. Interventions aimed at reducing identified barriers must be introduced and professional mental health help-seeking facilitated to ensure Gaelic footballers are managing their mental health post-injury.