Mental Health among Elite Youth Athletes and Parents

Project 1 : Mental Health Champions in Elite Youth Sport Organizations

We are working with youth elite athletes and parents to improve access to mental health care and help-seeking for mental health support among youth elite athletes.

We are conducting a pilot study to implement Mental Health Champions within elite youth sport clubs/organizations. This project will identify best practices in supporting parents and elite youth athletes to access information related to mental health.

Project 2: Mental Health Help-Seeking among Elite Youth Athletes and Parents

Research Participants Needed!

We are interested in recruiting elite youth athletes and parents/guardians in Ontario to participate in interviews that will ask about mental health and seeking help for mental health concerns. We are seeking parents/guardians and athletes (between the ages of 12-17) competing in elite/high performance sport, with experience seeking support for mental health.

Athletes and parents/guardians will participate in separate interviews that will last approximately 1 hour. Athletes or parents/guardians can participate even if the other person does not want to take part in the study; however, parental consent will be required for the athlete to take part in an interview. Participants will be compensated for their time completing the interview. For more information or to take part in an interview, please contact katherine.tamminen@utoronto.ca.

Advisory Groups

We have developed a team of Parents and Elite Youth Athletes to serve as Advisory Group Members. They are helping us to shape our research project by attending meetings and providing feedback on our research projects. If you are interested in becoming an Advisory Group Member for a future research project, please contact katherine.tamminen@utoronto.ca.