Article

How the sports industry is building resilience and prioritising health and well-being in the workplace

Australian sports organisations are prioritising mental health support, cultural change, digital health resources and community engagement in fostering a resilient and productive workforce.

The health and well-being of employees and athletes in the sports industry are increasingly recognised as critical components of organisational success. Sport naturally improves mental health through physical activity, and many sports organisations are building on this connection by promoting additional awareness. Sports organisations across Australia and worldwide are acknowledging the importance of mental health support, cultural change, digital health resources and community engagement in fostering a resilient and productive workforce.

Here, we explore these aspects and insights from recent research, and explore practical steps you can take to improve health and well-being in the workplace.

Expanding mental health support infrastructure

Sport, deeply ingrained in Australian culture, serves as a crucial and effective platform for promoting mental health. As part of the growing awareness that mental health is a cornerstone of overall well-being, sports organisations are acknowledging its significance by committing to implementing appropriate changes and improvements in this space.

Increasing accessibility of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) ensures that more employees can get the help they need. According to the Mercer 2023 Australian Sports Industry Pulse Survey (Pulse Survey), 68% of organisations focus on training mental health first aid officers to provide immediate support for mental health crises. This indicates that the majority of sports organisations are prepared to handle emergencies, but there is still room for improvement by investing in training and education of staff in managing crisis situations.

Campaigns to destigmatise mental health and encourage self-care are also essential in changing workplace cultures and encouraging employees to seek help when needed. 60% of respondents in the Pulse Survey indicated they currently do this.

Despite the availability of EAPs, many employees are often too busy in their day-to-day roles or overwhelmed to seek help. According to the Health on Demand 2023 report, nearly three-quarters (72%) of employees who work for companies that offered 10 or more benefits are more likely to stay with their employers, indicating that comprehensive benefits, including mental health support, are crucial for retention and overall satisfaction.

Over half of sporting organisations surveyed are trying to implement more balanced workloads. Policies such as no-meeting days can help to alleviate employee stress and promote a healthier work-life balance. Providing crisis management support following traumatic events is another area that sports organisations are increasingly focusing on or working towards.

Cultural change and awareness

Creating an inclusive and supportive environment requires cultural change. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are crucial in sports, and regular reviews of talent processes to mitigate potential biases are essential for fostering a supportive workplace culture. Designing jobs with well-being in mind helps employees feel valued and cared for, leading to a thriving workforce.

In the traditionally male dominated sports industry, progressive organisations recognise the distinct needs of women's strength and conditioning, commercialisation, facilities and medical treatment. Tailoring approaches to promote equal access and address unique needs is becoming increasingly common. According to the Pulse Survey, 92% of Australian sports organisations are prioritising safeguarding young people and 80% are promoting DEI as top strategies to improve duty of care in sports. These efforts include multi-year DEI strategies, accountability groups, setting DEI goals, tracking metrics and external partnerships to promote awareness.

These organisations recognise that mental health support extends beyond the individual and involves creating a culture of awareness and acceptance. With sporting clubs often being a centrepiece of Australian community engagement, one approach is to facilitate regular mental health check-ins and open forums where athletes and staff can discuss their challenges and experiences, as well as share learnings and coping strategies. Additionally, providing athletes and staff with resources such as meditation apps and access to therapy can further support mental well-being.

Enabling real-time support through digital and local health resources

Leveraging technology is pivotal in modern health support strategies. Digital health resources, such as telemedicine and wearable technology, have revolutionised how sports organisations support their employees and athletes. The demand for digital health solutions is increasing, balancing human and digital health delivery to address contemporary challenges.

Innovative technologies such as biometric screening for injury and instrumented mouthguards with built-in accelerometers are improving injury prevention and risk management. These tools allow for objectifiable measures to monitor contact levels and load thresholds to help identify the risk of injuries within athletes.

The integration of digital health tools shifts athlete well-being to precision care models with short turnaround times, which is essential in high-pressure environments like sports. Telemedicine can also provide athletes with global access to healthcare professionals wherever they might be competing, while wearable technology helps monitor their physical and mental health in real-time, offering insights to treating practitioners and training staff, and helping to identify instances where additional intervention may be required.

Role of community engagement for well-being of athletes

Community engagement plays a crucial role in promoting well-being. Initiatives like mental health awareness sessions in community hubs encourage open conversations about the topic, supporting individual well-being and fostering a sense of community and collective resilience. As competition for athletic talent increases and the age of recruitment gets younger, it is reassuring to see that 84% of organisations from the Pulse Survey recognise the need to have transition programs for athletes coming in and out of high-performance pathways. Sports organisations often leverage their foundations or nonprofit arms to incorporate programs encouraging physical activity, such as cycling initiatives, promoting mental health while strengthening community ties and social engagement.

Athlete advocacy and influence significantly affects sports, including diversity, equity, inclusion and mental health. Athletes who are vocal about mental health issues on social media build followings and create pressure for sports organisations to enhance their support.

The community’s role extends beyond just physical activities. The sense of community can be particularly beneficial in helping individuals feel less isolated and more connected, enhancing overall well-being.

Health and well-being initiatives in the sports industry

Australian Cycling Initiative: AusCycling launched a major initiative with the Australian Government and the Australian Sports Commission to help build bike skills in young people to promote the return on bicycles as a mode of transport. This program leverages the natural mental health benefits of physical activity, promoting a healthier lifestyle without altering the core mission of the organisation.

Rugby Foundation in NSW: The Positive Rugby Foundation in NSW started a program called Rugby for Good to build mental health awareness sessions in regional community hubs, which helps to encourage open conversations about mental health. These sessions leverage the social nature of sports clubs, promoting mental health in a supportive and communal environment.

Strategic takeaways and practical tips

There are several multifaceted strategies to support health and well-being in the workplace. Organisations must focus on reducing risks, expanding mental health support, fostering cultural change, leveraging digital resources and engaging with the community. These strategies not only improve individual well-being for both employees and athletes, but also contribute to the overall success and resilience of the organisation.

Some practical steps that organisations can take to improve or create a supportive environment for their people include:

Prioritise mental health: Invest in mental health first aid training and destigmatise mental health issues through awareness campaigns.
Leverage technology: Integrate digital health resources, such as telemedicine and wearable technology, to provide accessible health services.
Foster inclusivity: Regularly review and improve talent processes to mitigate biases and promote a supportive workplace culture.
Engage with the community: Develop programs that encourage community engagement and support mental health through social interactions.

How we can help

Whether you’re just beginning your organisational health and well-being journey or more progressed in your strategic initiatives, Marsh McLennan can support you and provide expert guidance in implementing strategies, reviewing your policies and ensuring your people are protected and your organisation is well-equipped to thrive in today's competitive landscape. For more information, please contact us to learn how we can help you achieve your health and well-being goals.

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How the sports industry is building resilience and prioritising health and well-being in the workplace