For decades, sport has been associated with physical strength, resilience, and emotional toughness. Athletes have often been portrayed as individuals capable of overcoming pain, pressure, and adversity through sheer determination. While this narrative has contributed to admiration and inspiration, it has also fostered unrealistic expectations regarding emotional invulnerability. In recent years, the global sports community has begun to recognize that mental health is as critical to performance and well-being as physical fitness.
The increasing visibility of mental health challenges among athletes has prompted a paradigm shift in how psychological well-being is understood and managed in sport. Anxiety, depression, burnout, eating disorders, and erotic stress-related conditions affect athletes across all levels, from grassroots participation to elite competition. These challenges are not signs of weakness but natural responses to intense pressure, public scrutiny, and high-performance demands.