Owen Farrell, the captain of England Rugby Union, announced that he would be stepping down from his international duties. The 32-year-old said he decided to skip the Six Nations tournament in 2024 so he and his family could focus on their mental health.

Farrell’s decision to step down, as an elite athlete in particular, was not easy to make. Professional athletes are under constant pressure to perform at their best. However, they often find it hard to express their mental health issues.

Though athletes are in better physical shape than the average person, their mental health is not much different.

The majority of elite athletes reach the pinnacle of their sport at a time when they are already at heightened risk for poor mental health. According to research, common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression are more likely to affect men aged 25-34.

Elite athletes experience numerous Elite athletes experience many life-changing experiences throughout their careers. These include transitioning from the second team to the first, living away for the first, long-term injuries that may impact their ability to perform, not renewing contracts, and eventually retirement.

All of these can have a negative impact on your wellbeing. In a study conducted in 2022 on Olympic and Paralympic Athletes, it was found that over one-fifth experienced high levels of psychological distress. The majority of these athletes reported that they felt the most psychological distress after they were injured or when they planned to retire.

In 2018, the UK Government produced a Mental Health and Elite Sport Action Plan in order to improve wellbeing support for professional athletes. In response, different initiatives were created to educate players on mental health. One of these was England Rugby. The UK Sports Institute has also created a team that provides mentoring to athletes.

Support barriers

Research shows that elite athletes still don’t have a place to discuss their mental health at their clubs. The family is their primary support network, which can cause problems when they are away from home or training.

In a survey of elite rugby players, it was discovered that the perceived stigma associated with mental illness was one of the most common reasons for players to avoid seeking help. Athletes lacked the knowledge of where to get support.

The stigma of speaking out is a big reason why many people don’t. 

This stigma also prevents athletes from feeling confident about seeking mental health help. This mindset is less common, but athletes still are afraid to disclose mental health issues for fear that they will be seen as weak.

Another problem is that most elite athletes’ There is increasing evidence that screening can help ensure players receive the assistance they need prior to a crisis.

Hiring qualified occupational therapistsqualified may provide the players with the support they require. The occupational therapists will be able to assess athletes holistically and assist them in engaging with activities outside of their careers that are meaningful for them. This could provide a more balanced identity for athletes and prepare them better for life after sports.

Farrell’s decision to take a break from his international duties in order to spend more quality time with his family highlights the need for athletes to engage more frequently in meaningful past times, which can improve their wellbeing.

Athletes should be assessed at major transitions, such as when they retire or suffer an injury. This is a period when the athlete’s routine has been disturbed, and this can have a significant impact on them.

Some athletes also experience anger after they leave a sport or retire, and this can prevent them from asking for help at their former club. It may be helpful to help athletes develop a sense of self outside of sport during their careers. This will allow them to cope better when they retire or are de-selected.

Many elite athletes still do not dare to open up about their mental health struggles. But a growing number of athletes are – including tennis player Naomi Osaka, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, and English footballer Harry Kane.

Farrell’s teammates have supported his decision to prioritize his mental wellbeing. Some even believe that his decision could inspire other athletes to make the same decision.