Elite athletes are exposed to a range of sport-specific factors that can heighten their vulnerability to mental ill-health. These include injury, overtraining, burnout, performance-related pressures, intense public scrutiny and social media abuse.
Despite these risks, athletes are often perceived as models of psychological resilience, able to withstand the inherent tension of competing at the highest levels. The mythology of the “mentally tough” or bullet-proof athlete often obscures the reality of elite sport’s mental toll.
