A game changing substitution: improving mental health and wellbeing in young athletes

Sport is widely recognised for its positive impact on the mental health of young people, helping to elevate mood, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being among participants.

However, research conducted by Harrod Sport reveals some lesser-known negative effects. Almost half of all young British athletes are afraid of letting down the team they represent. On an individual level, 39% of men and 43% of women fear embarrassing themselves if they deliver what they consider to be a poor performance on the pitch, field, or other sporting arena.

Although these challenges undeniably exist, Harrod Sports research also found ways to mitigate them and help improve the mental health of young athletes in the UK. From making an extra effort to celebrate an individual's contribution to the team, to using sports-related mental health charities during difficult times.

Playing for the shirt: the mental cost

Sometimes the mental pressure of team sports can be a lot to bear, as evidenced by 49% of young athletes saying they fear letting their team down

Some of this anxiety may be linked to the increasingly toxic atmosphere of popular social media sites such as X and Instagram. This anxiety can be heightened when witnessing the vitriolic comments directed at high-profile athletes who are perceived to be underperforming. It is not uncommon for athletes to deactivate their social media accounts after such abuse. For example, Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson deleted his Instagram account in September 2024 after what a section of fans deemed to be a poor performance against Arsenal. Johnson is not the first high-profile athlete to do so, and he is unlikely to be the last.

For aspiring young athletes, watching this unfold in real time can be disheartening, contributing to a fear of letting their team down or embarrassing themselves due to the negative consequences of abusive messages and comments.

When split along gender lines, young female athletes (43%) are more likely to fear embarrassing themselves than young male athletes (39%). Part of the reason for this split can also be attributed to social media, particularly the toxicity and misogyny directed at female athletes and women's sports in general.

It is common for clips of female goalkeeping mistakes to go viral on social media, often accompanied by misogynistic and derogatory comments about the standard of the women's game. It is rare for similar mistakes in the men's game to attract as much gender-specific vitriol.

Social pressure, amplified by the effects of social media on young athletes, also helps explain why 49% believe performance anxiety is an issue that needs to be addressed in relation to mental health in young people in sport. It also helps explain why 42% of young athletes say the same about low self-esteem.

Inclusively individual: how to unlock the mental health potential of sports

There are ways to counter the anxiety and low self-esteem felt by some young athletes in the UK today. Not only will these options help combat some of the negative effects that sports can unintentionally cause, but they can also be the key to unlocking the strong mental health benefits that sports can provide.

Notably, 49% of respondents believe coaches should make an effort to celebrate each person and what they bring to the team, while 46% think there should be initiatives to encourage open communication about mental health. Interestingly, 30% of 16-35-year-olds said they wouldn't know how to support teammates with the pressures associated with being on a sports team, and this has discouraged them from pursuing coaching roles.

The desire for more open and honest communication regarding mental health among young athletes could have a positive knock-on effect for those hesitant to coach due to a lack of knowledge on how to support individual team members. By fostering better communication between coaches and team members, it will naturally become easier over time to celebrate the individual strengths of each player. In other words, the more a coach praises an individual's impact, the more they will begin to recognise the qualities worth celebrating. This, in turn, can lead to a much healthier team environment that better unlocks the mental health potential of sports among young people.

It is also worth noting that 35% of respondents said social events need to be more inclusive so that nobody feels excluded. This can be achieved in part by ensuring team socials cater to non-drinkers and by calling out sexist, homophobic, racist, and other discriminatory comments rather than allowing them to be normalised. In relation to drinking, the culture - particularly in university sports clubs - has become off-putting to a significant number of potential athletes. Addressing this will not only benefit the mental health of those already in sports clubs but will also open the door to a flow of new members.

Here to help: mental health support is more available than athletes realise

Another way to help uplift young athletes is through the support of dedicated mental health charities and programmes.

These services offer specific mental health resources tailored to most sports. For example, the Heads Up campaign supports football, while Brave Mind is important in the rugby community. England Hockey also has dedicated mental health resources for hockey players, while Opening Up aims to promote positive mental health for cricketers.

Although effective, it appears that a significant number of young athletes are simply unaware of their existence, with only 36% aware of any mental health services or support available through their club, their sport's governing bodies, or sports charities. Of those athletes who know that support is available, only 51% know how and where to access it, suggesting there is still an issue of awareness rather than availability.

If sports clubs were to either implement mental health programmes or encourage their members to engage with existing ones, it could lead to significant improvements in the mental health of young athletes.

It is also worth noting that, while the stigma around mental health in sports has not been entirely eliminated, it has certainly eased over the last few years. This is partly due to mental health programmes, but also thanks to high-profile athletes speaking out on the subject. Olympic sprinter Ashleigh Nelson and footballer Richarlison are just two of many who have broached the subject of mental health, making it easier for others to speak openly on the same topic.

Harrod Sport: 70 years of sports supply

Playing sports has a positive impact on mental health. However, young athletes face increased performance anxiety and pressure, which is further amplified by the toxicity of social media. Harrod Sport's research has found that these challenges can be addressed by celebrating individual contributions, promoting inclusivity, and fostering open communication. By raising awareness of mental health resources and creating supportive environments, we can help young British athletes unlock the true mental health potential of sports.

For 70 years, Harrod Sport has supplied a versatile range of equipment for athletes across the country to train on and play with. Whether through funding sporting scholarships via the Ron Harrod Foundation or introducing the Finesse range, Harrod Sport continues to enhance performance and create positive sporting experiences for British athletes, ensuring they can fully benefit from the affirming role that sport plays in our lives.