Dual Careers for Mental Health

Background Notwithstanding the advances made with regard to the field of dual career (DC), there exists a lack of empirical data and applied actions with regard to the mental health (MH) of DC athletes. Given the potential risks as well as the benefits associated with a DC, there is a clear need for DC support services to increase their efforts in safeguarding DC athletes from MH issues and allowing them to flourish within the DC organization. Objectives The overall aim of the Dual Careers for Mental Health (DC4MH; 1/1/2021 – 31/12/2022) project was to optimize MH services within European DC ‘elite sports and education’ organizations. More specifically, the objective was to develop, implement, and evaluate a number of evidence-based MH promotion recommendations and tools in 4 key pillars: MH structures in DC organizations, (b) MH monitoring, (c) MH literacy, and (d) psychological resilience-building. Implementation In order to address its objectives, the DC4MH project consisted of 4 work packages (WP):WP1. The Relationship between Mental Health and Dual Careers; WP2. Good practices for Mental Health Promotion in Dual Career Organizations;WP3. Development of Recommendations and Tools for Mental Health Promotion;WP4. Implementation and Evaluation of Mental Health Recommendation and Tools. Achievements Among others, the DC4MH project: (a) reports on the MH and DC experiences of 1784 DC athletes, non-DC athletes and non-athlete students; (b) showcases MH good practices of 8 DC organizations; (c) developed recommendations and tools to evaluate and improve MH services related to organizational foundations, monitoring and follow-up, MH literacy, and well-being interventions; and (d) increased awareness on the importance of MH in DC through athlete testimonials and two multiplier sport events.