April 2 – More than one in four professional footballers suffer depression and anxiety according to a new mental health study released today by the world footballers’ association FIFPro. That figure rises to a massive 39% amongst retired footballers.
The FIFPro study, lead by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vincent Gouttebarge, measured over 300 active and former professional footballers from six.member unions – Netherlands, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, USA, Australia and New Zealand.
Questionnaires asked respondents to measure outcomes ranging from distress, burnout, anxiety/depression and low self-esteem to adverse health behaviours covering alcohol consumption, smoking and general nutrition.
“FIFPro’s study, the first of its kind on a global scale, becomes the basis for the international football community to develop and implement optimal strategies to protect and promote the sustainable health of professional footballers,” said Dr Gouttebarge.
“Former professional footballers report more mental health problems than current players, endorsing that the period just after retirement from professional football is a critical one for many players.”
FIFPro’s aim is to establish a new benchmark in the area regarding mental health of footballers, but recognises that more data is needed. The next stage is to expand the research to more federations and continents.
“When it comes to any health problem, be it physical or mental, over the short or long term, the minimum standard is to raise self-awareness of players about these issues. They need to be aware of what might occur during and after their football career,” said Gouttebarge.
Key FIFPro study figures:
Active Professional Footballers
· 180 active professional footballers participated, of which 60% were playing for a club of the highest national league at the time of the study.
· 26% of active players reported suffering from depression/anxiety and adverse nutritional behavior.
· 19% reported adverse alcohol behaviour.
· 3% reported having low self-esteem.
· 7% said they were smoking
· 5% reported signs of burnout and 10% were found to be in distress
Former Professional Footballers
· 121 former professional footballers participated, of which almost 65% spent the majority of their careers playing for a club of the highest national league.
· 39% reported suffering from depression/anxiety
· 42% reported adverse nutritional behaviour.
· 32% reported adverse alcohol behaviour.
· 5% reported having a low self-esteem
· 12% said they were smoking
· 15% showed signs of burnout and 18% were found to be in distress
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