Our dedicated Athlete Support Team will stand by an athlete’s side for as long as they need, ranging from a one-off conversation to months of personalised support.  

Our Athlete Support Team is highly trained in mental health provision. Between them, they have qualifications that span mental health first-aid, self-harm, and disordered eating, and they also understand how to support athletes from minority backgrounds or with neurodivergence considerations.  

Some athletes want to get something off their chest once and not speak again, and that’s completely fine. We provide our contact details and ensure they know we’re here if required again. Others will need regular check-ins for any amount of time, and that’s equally fine. We work with everyone on a case by case basis and personalise the support accordingly.

Crucially, our support is totally confidential too. Unless there’s an urgent safeguarding concern, we won’t disclose anything to anyone if you don’t want us to: there is full consent in everything we do.

Support pathway

There are a variety of reasons why you might turn to us for mental health support. Whatever it is, we will try to help.

So, what happens when you reach out to the BEAA?

That might be direct, end-to-end support with your issue through a dedicated Athlete Support Manager, or signposting to someone else who can help you.

We’ll always be there for our members. Find out what happens when you contact us below.

1. You contact the BEAA for support, or are referred with consent by your NGB.
2. One of our Athlete Support Managers will respond, usually via email, within one working day.
3. We make a swift risk assessment about the support you require. We seek to establish the immediacy of the issue, what your support network looks like, and the environment you’re in. We build a holistic understanding of what’s happening and who else you may be able to turn to.
4. If you just need a listening ear, or to get something off your chest, that’s completely okay – we’re here for as long or as little as you need us, as a one-off, regularly, or ad hoc. We will listen to and support you whenever you come to us, and stay with you for however long you need.
5. If you need some care for your mental health, we can help to refer you to the Athlete Medical Scheme with Bupa in total confidence.
6. If you are in an emergency or your or someone else’s safety is at risk, you must contact the emergency services on 999.