The present study had three aims, to determine: (a) whether providing a curriculum-based mental health awareness program to athletes increased knowledge of mental health and intentions to offer support; (b) whether the program increased resilience and well-being compared to a control group; and (c) the feasibility of the program. A total of 100 participants (Mage = 20.78; SD = 2.91; male = 59) either attended the program or were part of a control group. Participants completed questionnaires pre-, post-, and 3-months post-intervention, although there was a low participant return rate for the 3-month follow-up (n = 15). Participants were invited to take part in a focus group to explore program relevance. Knowledge of mental health and intentions to offer support increased for the intervention group, compared to the control. The program with some modification could be integrated into university sport courses to promote mental health awareness.
Increasing Athlete Knowledge of Mental Health and Intentions to Seek Help: The State of Mind Ireland (SOMI) Pilot Program
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Breslin, Haughey, and Robertson are with the Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland. Breslin is also with The Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Ulster University, Derry, Northern Ireland. O’Brien is with the School of Education, Sports Studies and Physical Education Department, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. Caulfield is with the Institute for Community Research and Development, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. Lawlor is with the Health Service Executive, South Cork, Ireland.
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