Mental health promotion in youth sporting clubs: predictors of stakeholder participation

BACKGROUND: Young people are disproportionately affected by poor mental health. Youth sport settings hold immense potential to improve the mental health outcomes of this demographic. Efforts to leverage youth sport settings to promote mental health are limited by the lack of knowledge pertaining to engagement with mental health interventions in these settings. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the willingness of youth sporting club stakeholders (e.g., sportspersons, coaches, support staff, parents/guardians) to engage in mental health initiatives conducted by sporting clubs and ascertain possible determinants of engagement. METHODS: This study used an observational cross-sectional design. Participants completed an online survey assessing likelihood of supporting a mental health campaign, mental health literacy (help-seeking, inclusive attitudes), and perceived club support. Perceptions pertaining to the importance of youth mental health and sporting clubs supporting youth mental health were also assessed. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 275 stakeholders of youth sporting clubs in Australia (M(age) = 40.2 ± 15.8 years, 60.3% female). The findings indicated that stakeholders were willing to participate in mental health initiatives in youth sport clubs. A linear regression analysis indicated that the significant predictors of stakeholders supporting such initiatives were older age (> 25–50 and > 50 years; β = 0.15, p = .033, β = 0.19, p = .005, respectively), along with perceived importance of youth mental health (β = 0.24, p = .003) and sporting clubs supporting youth mental health (β = 0.22, p = .004). CONCLUSION: Youth sport settings have the capacity to improve the provision of mental health support among young people. There is a need for tailored approaches to enhance the engagement with, and effectiveness of, mental health resources in sport contexts. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-023-15377-5.