The Medical and Scientific Commission of the Internaltional Olympic Committee (IOC) has recognised the need to protect the mental, as well as physical, health of athletes.
As part of its commitment to supporting the health and performance of athletes and to the continuing progessional development of those who care for them, the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission offers a postgraduate-level Diploma program in Mental Health in Elite Sport. This program is designed primarily to meet the needs of sports medicine physicians, psychiatrists, other physicians, and other qualified mental health professionals.
A Certificate in Mental Health in Elite Sport will equip members of the athlete entourage with the knowledge and skills to recognise potential mental health problems at an early stage and to appreciate the need for referral to professionals equipped to provide appropriate treatment.