18/05/2026
What stops elite athletes from seeking mental health support, even when they’re struggling badly?
A recent study by Andersson et al. (2025) followed 96 elite athletes who finally sought care at a sport-specialised psychiatric clinic in Sweden. They wanted to understand what kept them from coming sooner.
The answer wasn’t cost. It wasn’t logistics. It was a belief: “I’m not that sick.” One athlete almost didn’t come because the word “psychiatry” was in the clinic’s name. In her mind, that was for people who had really fallen apart. And she hadn’t — she was still training, still competing, still performing at the highest level. But she was quietly breaking down inside, while smiling on the outside.
Maybe you recognise that feeling. Carrying something heavy that no one else can see. Saying you’re fine, even when it isn’t entirely true. Pushing through the pressure of elite sport while your mental health silently takes the hit. Researchers call this impression management.
What finally helped these athletes take the step? It wasn’t a dramatic turning point. Most of the time it was someone they trusted, a teammate, a coach, a friend, who simply reached out a hand and said: I see you. Let’s go together.
If this resonates with you, or you know someone who is struggling, you don’t have to wait until you’re at breaking point. I am here.
DM me, or find the link in bio. 👇
