Suck It Up: Opinions and Attitudes about Mental Illness Stigma and Help-Seeking Behaviour of Male Varsity Football Players
Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
8 December 2014
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the attitudes and opinions of varsity football players toward mental health and help-seeking. The insights gained from this study may contribute to a greater understanding of how stigma functions in a competitive, elite-level football team. The authors concluded that the competitive edge required for success in elite athletics conflicts with mental health issues and illnesses. Components of the stigma process (labelling, stereotyping, separation, status loss, and discrimination), along with the impact of gender on stigma toward mental illness and help-seeking behaviours, are explored. Recommendations are made to broaden the scope of mental health initiatives for student athletes.
Résumé
Le but de cette étude qualitative était de comprendre les attitudes et les opinions des joueurs de football universitaires en ce qui concerne la santé mentale et la recherche d'aide. Les leçons tirées de cette étude peuvent contribuer à une meilleure compréhension du fonctionnement de la stigmatisation dans une équipe de football compétitive au niveau élite. Les auteurs ont conclu que l'avantage concurrentiel nécessaire pour réussir dans l'athlétisme peut entrer en conflit avec la santé mentale. Des composantes du processus de stigmatisation (l’étiquetage, les stéréotypes, la séparation, la perte de prestige, et la discrimination), ainsi que l'impact du genre sur la stigmatisation envers la maladie mentale et la recherche d'aide, sont explorées. Des recommandations sont faites pour élargir la portée des initiatives de santé mentale pour les étudiants-athlètes.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 33 • Number 3 • December 2014
Pages: 43 - 56
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Version of record online: 8 December 2014
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DelenardoSamantha and TerrionJenepher Lennox. 2014. Suck It Up: Opinions and Attitudes about Mental Illness Stigma and Help-Seeking Behaviour of Male Varsity Football Players. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.
33(3): 43-56. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2014-023
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