Coaching and Athlete Mental Health

Mental health among athletes has come into sharp focus around the world over recent years. However, the role of the coach in athlete mental health has not been well articulated. This chapter reviews the relationships between sport participation and various indices of mental health, explores the important role of the coach in supporting athlete mental health, and proposes some strategies to increase the likelihood that coaches' have a positive influence on athlete mental health and wellbeing. We outline the potential benefits of an approach to coaching practice and coach education based in self-determination theory for athlete wellbeing. We also discuss the merits of mental health literacy training for coaches. Further, we suggest areas for focus for researchers whereby a meaningful benefit to the field can be made, including strong research designs and methodologies, a focus on non-elite sport, and guidelines for practice. Such advancements will help coaches to engage in evidence- and theory-based practice to the benefit of athlete mental health and wellbeing.