Sustainability of top-performance athletes’ mental health and career retirement support services: European major sports organizations’ perspective

Introduction The transition out of elite sports presents a complex array of psychological, financial, career, and social challenges requiring tailored and sustainable support services for elite athletes. Thus, this study explored policies, programs, and practices surrounding elite athletes' mental health, career transitions, and retirement support services. Methods A tailored semi-structured survey was administered to major sports organizations to assess typology, modality, funding, and perceived challenges of services delivery to elite athletes. Results Respondent organizations ( n = 17, mostly National Olympic Committees) highlighted issues in ensuring athletes adequate support and a fragmented approach in services implementation and delivery. Services are offered mainly to medalists in international competitions. Access to external professionals (34%), awareness training (20%), and in-house psychologists (17%) resulted the most cited mental health support services. However, the sustainability and quality of services are affected by a lack of funding (41%) and different assessment methods. For career transitions and additional services, educational workshops (29%), career counselling (19%), nutrition (21%), financial (19%), social (19%), and travel/logistics (19%) support resulted the most cited, meeting athletes' practical needs related to performance and well-being through internal organizational support networks (40%) and coach/staff referrals (33%). Discussions Results highlighted the absence of regulatory frameworks for career assistance and temporary initiatives/activities or informal support as the common practice. Multi-faceted programs and comprehensive, athlete-centered systems are needed to foster a sustainable and effective support for elite athletes.