Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to examine the
attitudes of professional footballers towards help-seeking
behaviours related to mental health symptoms and the
impact of a mental health awareness video on these
help-seeking behaviours. The secondary objective was to
evaluate whether the mental health awareness video was
feasible in professional football.
METHODS: A quasi-experimental study based on a
one-group pretest post-test was conducted using a
questionnaire. Attitude, help-seeking behaviours and
confidence were measured with validated questionnaires,
including the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional
Psychological Help-Short Form (ATSPPH-SF) and General
Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ).
RESULTS: Sixty-five professional footballers (63% men;
37% women) were enrolled in the study. The mean
ATSPPH-SF score was 18.1 at pretest and 19.4 at posttest (p=0.00). The mean GHSQ score was 47.6 at pretest
and 48.9 at post-test (p=0.00). The level of confidence in
helping someone experiencing mental health symptoms
was 11.1 at pretest and 11.7 at post-test (p=0.00). All
participants rated the mental health awareness video
as relevant; 88% mentioned that it added value to raise
awareness about mental health symptoms and disorders
in professional football. Eighty-three per cent rated the
design positively, 69% were positive about the duration
of the video and 88% of participants reported an increase
in their knowledge and understanding of mental health
symptoms and disorders in professional football.
CONCLUSION: The mental health awareness video led to a
better attitude of professional footballers towards mental
health. We recommend the mental health awareness video
be implemented in professional football to disseminate
essential information related to mental health symptoms in
professional football.
