Author(s): KAMIMURA, A., NAMBA, H., Institution: WAYO WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 2406

Background
Mental health problems among young athletes have gained increasing attention worldwide (Daley & Reardon, 2024). Mental health literacy (MHL) education is considered important for early prevention, stigma reduction, and the promotion of help-seeking behaviors in sport settings. However, research focusing specifically on youth sport contexts remains fragmented.
Purpose
This rapid scoping review aimed to map current research on mental health literacy education for young athletes and to identify key gaps to inform future program development.
Methods
A rapid scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A PubMed search on February 12, 2026, yielded 85 records. Titles and abstracts were screened using predefined eligibility criteria focusing on youth athletes, sport-related mental health literacy, and help-seeking outcomes. Eighteen studies were included and charted by study design, target populations, intervention characteristics, and outcomes.
Results
Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. These included intervention studies (n = 5), cross-sectional and qualitative studies (n = 7), and narrative or systematic reviews (n = 6). Most studies focused on stigma reduction and help-seeking attitudes, whereas relatively few examined behavioral changes or long-term outcomes. Evidence from non-Western countries was limited, with only one study identified from Japan. This study implemented a school-based mental health education initiative but did not specifically target sport contexts. Overall, the existing literature was characterized by a small number of intervention studies and limited cultural and contextual adaptation.
Conclusion
Research on mental health literacy education for young athletes remains limited, particularly regarding sport-specific, culturally adapted, and long-term interventions. Further well-designed studies are needed to develop and evaluate MHL programs that are appropriate for youth sport settings.
References
Daley MM, Reardon CL. Mental Health in the Youth Athlete. Clin Sports Med. 2024;43(1):107-126.