Barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking for young elite athletes: A qualitative study

This study involved fifteen elite athletes aged 16–23 years who participated in one of three focus group discussions. Participants’ written and verbal data suggested that stigma was the most important perceived barrier to seeking help for young elite athletes. Other notable barriers were a lack of mental health literacy, and negative past experiences of help-seeking. Facilitators to help-seeking were encouragement from others, having an established relationship with a provider, pleasant previous interactions with providers, the positive attitudes of others, especially their coach, and access to the internet.