Sports can boost mood, reduce stress, and build confidence, but pressure to win and injuries can also lead to anxiety, eating disorders, and depression among athletes.
Part of Bloomsbury’s Health and Medical Issues Today series, Mental Health of Athletes is divided into three sections. Part I explores different aspects of the complex relationship between athletics and mental health. This includes both the positive and negative mental health impacts sports can have on athletes, as well as how different biological and social factors can influence an athlete’s health. This section also examines the role that age has on mental health, from youth sports to senior athletes, as well as the unique mental health challenges faced by disenfranchised groups such as disabled and LGBTQ+ athletes. Part II features coverage of several high-interest issues in this field, including the risk of suicide among athletes and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on athlete mental health. Part III provides a variety of useful materials, including illuminating case studies, a glossary, and a directory of resources.
By:
Christine L. B. Selby (University of Massachusetts–Amherst USA)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 238mm,
Width: 162mm,
Spine: 22mm
Weight: 620g
ISBN: 9781440881121
ISBN 10: 144088112X
Series: Health and Medical Issues Today
Pages: 280
Publication Date: 05 February 2026
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
,
Primary
,
Children's (6-12)
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Series Foreword Acknowledgments Preface Part I: Overview Chapter 1: Benefits of Sport on Mental Wellbeing Chapter 2: Describing Mental Health & Common Mental Health Challenges in Athletes Chapter 3: Biopsychosocial Factors Affecting Mental Health in Athletes Chapter 4: Determining Whether an Athlete Has a Mental Health Challenge Chapter 5: Unique Issues Related to Age or Competition Level Chapter 6: Historically Disenfranchised Athlete Groups Part II: Issues and Controversies Chapter 7: Athlete Risk of Death by Suicide Chapter 8: Personal, Interpersonal, and Intergenerational Trauma Chapter 9: eSports and Mental Health Chapter 10: COVID-19 and Athlete Mental Health Chapter 11: Concussion Chapter 12: Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Part III. Scenarios Scenario 1: Malik Has a Career-Ending Injury Scenario 2: Chris is Bullied for Being Non-Binary Scenario 3: Brenda’s Coach Triggers Her Trauma Scenario 4: Samantha Has an Eating Disorder Scenario 5: Lamar is Struggling to Fit in and Builds his Confidence Through Sport Directory of Resources Glossary Bibliography Index About the Author
Christine L. B. Selby, PhD, is a staff psychologist at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst's Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (USA). She also maintains a part-time private practice as a licensed counseling and sport psychologist.
