Transitioning out of Elite Sport

Depending on how well they cope with the challenges associated with transitioning out of elite sport, former elite athletes might report mental health symptoms. The prevalence of mental health symptoms in former elite athletes is substantial, reaching up to 39% for distress and anxiety/depression (not differentiated), 29% for sleep disturbance, and 27% for disordered eating. The occurrence of mental health symptoms among former elite athletes is likely to be the consequence of psychosocial stressors (e.g., adverse life events), stressors related to an elite sport career (e.g., concussions), and/or stressors related to the transition out of sport (e.g., unemployment). Having a duty to protect and promote the long-term health of athletes, stakeholders in elite sport should facilitate clinicians’ ability to provide former elite athletes with the necessary care and guidance. Clinicians should screen elite athletes for mental health symptoms at the start of the transitioning process, enabling them to facilitate timely management of any identified mental health condition.