Systemic barriers and facilitators of help-seeking and highly performing individuals in business and sports
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: The mental health and wellbeing of highly performing individuals in business and sport demands attention due to the high costs (personal and financial) that disruptions can create for these individuals and their organizations or teams. Utilizing 13 interviews with support professionals (e.g., executive coaches, psychologists), this study explored factors affecting help-seeking and wellbeing amongst high-performing athletes and executives, consequences of not seeking help, and similarities present in business and elite sports environments. Themes including stigma, career consequences, logistics, culture, and isolation of leadership were identified as factors inhibiting help-seeking and wellbeing. Service delivery factors, organizational resources and policies, and leadership emerged as facilitative themes. Findings suggested further efforts to reduce stigma in these environments is needed. Recommended keys to improving the mental health and wellbeing within high-performance environments included engaged leaders who lead by example and foster trust, proactive prevention, availability of high-quality services, and advocacy by "mental health ambassadors."
Author: Jonathan N. Weller
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3126807115