Wellbeing is the foundation for sustainable performance and a healthy life beyond sport. This page brings together trusted resources and support services to help athletes, coaches, and support staff look after their mental health and wellbeing. Whether it’s navigating stress, building resilience, or maintaining balance, you’ll find practical tools, expert guidance, and pathways to support when you need it most.
Throughout the sporting journey, athletes will likely encounter new experiences and challenges that may impact their thoughts, feelings and wellbeing. The wellbeing conversation guidance and resource list created by the AIS Mental Health Team provides parents, guardians, support people and coaches with ways to look out for young people and have a wellbeing conversation. In addition, it includes a list of further resources and contacts.
The 4R action plan is a simple guideline adapted from the Australian Institute of Sport 4R’s, to help assist you when you believe someone is experiencing poor mental health and in need of support.
1 - RECOGNISE - Early recognition of signs and symptoms is key to facilitating a timely referral to relevant support services where required. Remember, your role is to recognise, not diagnose. Only a trained mental health professional can diagnose a mental illness. (Please see signs and symptoms resource for more information on how to recognise signs and symptoms)
2 - REACH OUT - Once you have recognised that someone may need support, reach out. Consider an appropriate time and place to talk and communicate what you have recognised such as "I have noticed you're not yourself recently, how are you doing?" or "There has been a lot going on for you lately, would you like to talk?". Provide the person with a safe place to talk through how they are feeling and be sure to use your active listening skills.
3 - REFER - Refer to a professional if you observe that problems for the individual persist, or the issue moves beyond your scope. Appropriate referrals within a sporting organisation might include a program psychologist or the Chief Medical Officer. The Australian Athletics Performance Wellbeing Manager is available to assist you in contacting these services. (Please see Mental Health Services information for general contact information).
4 - REMAIN SUPPORTIVE - Continue to check in and offer appropriate emotional and practical support. Additionally, continue to promote good mental health and be patient with the individual.
For more information, and to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression, download the resource.
Taking care of your mental health and wellbeing can look different for everyone. It’s about finding a balance, knowing what works for you, and planning. Beyond Blue offers free, 24/7 support for people of all ages, whether you’re feeling stressed, experiencing anxiety or depression, or just need someone to talk to. They provide practical tools, confidential counselling, and resources to help you take the next step toward better mental health.
Body image concerns and eating disorders can affect anyone, and support makes a difference. The Butterfly Foundation offers free, confidential counselling, information, and resources to help people build a positive relationship with food, body, and self. They also provide tools for families, carers, and communities to create supportive environments for recovery and wellbeing.
Everyone deserves a safe space to talk. QLife provides free, anonymous support for LGBTQIA+ people and their loved ones, offering phone and webchat counselling from trained peers. Whether you’re seeking connection, exploring your identity, or needing someone to listen, QLife is there to provide understanding and affirmation.
Designed and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 13YARN is the first national crisis support line created for mob. It provides a culturally safe space to yarn with trained crisis supporters who understand community, culture, and connection. Available 24/7, it ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are never alone in tough times.
WellMob provides online resources designed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to support social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing. The platform features stories, tools, and services that are grounded in community knowledge and cultural perspectives. Whether you’re seeking coping strategies, mental health support, or guidance for cultural connection, WellMob offers culturally safe and accessible resources for healing, strength, and resilience.
Grief Australia is a leading national organisation providing evidence‑informed counselling, training, and research to support Australians living with loss. They offer culturally inclusive services, acknowledging the distinct grief experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and working to create safe spaces for all. Whether you’re navigating the death of a loved one, profound change, or seeking support for someone else, Grief Australia offers expert guidance, community connection, and a pathway toward healing.
Black Dog Institute is an Australian mental health research and clinical organisation. They provide evidence-based resources, programs, and support specifically designed for young people, including digital tools, workshops, and professional services. They are the only medical research institute in Australia that investigates mental health across the lifespan from childhood to adulthood. Through early intervention, education, and accessible online support, Black Dog Institute helps young Australians build resilience, manage mental health challenges, and access help when they need it.
If you’re looking for a flexible, evidence-based way to support your mental health, MyCompass is a free online self-help tool developed by Black Dog Institute and funded by the Australian Government. It’s designed for adults experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression, with interactive activities, mood tracking, and personalised feedback to help you develop healthier thought patterns and emotional resilience. The program can be completed at your own pace and fits around your schedule.
Mindfulness can be applied across many areas of life, with research showing that mindfulness meditation supports mental health, promotes better decision-making, and strengthens relationships
3 minute read on ‘How mindfulness can improve sport performance’
Explore mindfulness at https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
In partnership with Lifeline Australia, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has developed the Lifeline Community Custodians Program to empower elite athletes as mental‑health advocates across Australia. Selected athletes, including Olympic, Paralympic and elite competitors, share their personal stories of resilience and use their platform to help reduce stigma, promote help‑seeking behaviours and demonstrate that no one needs to face challenges alone.
Over multiple years, the program has enabled athletes to engage in community events, amplify vital messages about suicide prevention and mental wellbeing, and develop skills in public engagement, leadership and peer support.
By joining the Custodians Program, athletes deepen their impact beyond sport, build meaningful connections with the community, and help shape a more compassionate future, one conversation at a time.
If you are concerned about the immediate safety or wellbeing of yourself, an athlete, or coach, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If life is in danger, call 000 immediately.
The AIS Mental Health Referral Network (MHRN) is a group of expert psychologists and mental health clinicians who understand the pressures and complexity of life in a high performance setting. The MRHN provides support for NASS high performance athletes and eligible individuals within the Australian high performance sports system who have mental health or wellbeing concerns.
Contact the MHRN directly, or speak to your wellbeing advisor who can support you with a referral.
