Understanding and supporting mental health in youth sport: the role of digital literacy in coach education

Coaches play a crucial role in promoting, preventing, and supporting mental health in youth sport, with implications for both athlete wellbeing and sustainable performance; yet factors shaping their preparedness to respond effectively to athlete mental health concerns remain poorly understood. This mixed-methods study examined mental health literacy, self-efficacy, confidence in providing support, and digital literacy among UK youth sport coaches alongside their promotion, prevention, and early intervention behaviours. An online survey of 129 coaches (Mage = 40.17, SD = 12.10) from a variety of sports and levels showed that mental health literacy was positively associated with promotion, prevention, and early intervention behaviours, an association mediated by coaches’ support self-efficacy. Mental health literacy was also positively associated with digital self-efficacy, which further enhanced coaches’ support confidence. Semi-structured online interviews with 11 coaches (eight completing a story completion task) yielded four themes through reflexive thematic analysis: (a) Confidence in Supporting Mental Health, (b) Lack of Mandatory and Practical Training, (c) Role Boundaries and Cultural Expectations, and (d) Need for System-Level Support and Shared Responsibility. Findings demonstrate that knowledge alone is insufficient; confidence serves as a key psychological mechanism through which mental health literacy translates into supportive action within youth sport performance systems. Coaches described needing practical, scenario-based training, clearer role guidance, and stronger organisational structures to help them respond appropriately. The results emphasise the importance of integrated performance-health approaches that build mental health literacy and confidence, supported by accessible digital tools and embedded within wider club and organisational systems.