HOW TO DEVELOP SUPPORT PATHWAYS FOR KEY TRANSITIONS
The aim is to make support visible, easy to access and available before pressure reaches crisis point. A strong pathway should help people to understand what support exists, who to contact and how concerns will be managed.
Depending on the size and resources of the organisation, support pathways within the sporting workplace might include:
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUPPORT
for athletes, coaches and support staff experiencing pressures associated with injury, performance, selection, major competitions or career change including access to self-help resources.
MENTORING PROGRAMMES
that provide guidance and peer support during key transitions, such as entering elite sport, moving between performance levels, deselection or retirement.
ATHLETE AND STAFF SUPPORT GROUPS
including peer networks for individuals experiencing similar challenges such as long-term injury, contract uncertainty, deselection or retirement.
EMPLOYEE OR ATHLETE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES (EAPs)
providing confidential support and referral services for personal, professional, financial or psychological difficulties.
COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
including access to appropriately qualified mental health professionals and sports psychology services where relevant.
EXTERNAL SUPPORT AND REFERRAL RESOURCES
including community, local and national organisations in mental health, wellbeing and athlete support, which can provide specialist assistance beyond the organisation.
AWARENESS-RAISING CAMPAIGNS
that promote mental health and wellbeing, reduce stigma around seeking support and highlight the additional pressures associated with high-performance sport.
EDUCATION ON POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND SUPPORT PATHWAYS
for at-risk individuals, ensuring athletes and staff know how to access help and how concerns should be identified, reported and managed.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES
for coaches, managers and support staff to help them to recognise signs of distress, respond appropriately and understand their role within the organisation’s support pathway.
These frameworks should form part of a clear support pathway for key transitions, with additional support available during periods such as injury, deselection, retirement, contract uncertainty and major competitions, when athletes and staff may experience increased pressure.
