This report explores the issue of mental health and illness in the UK sport and physical activity workforce using data from 202 UK coaches. They found that 44% of the workforce were currently dealing with mental illness, with coaches in community settings being the most vulnerable. The report utilises testimonies from both males and females on their experiences to highlight coaches perceptions of the seriousness with which mental health and illness are taken by their leaders and managers.
Previous research on this topic has been made in research, policy and practice, however we still know little about the prevalence of mental illness among coaches as well as the support that is available to them. The findings of the report suggest that coaches experiences with mental illness is part of an important public health challenge and leads them to pose the question: ‘who is looking after the people looking after the people?