Recent studies and increased media reporting across Australasia have linked young Pacific maleelite athletes to depression, suicide, and other adverse mental health-related events. Despite these accounts,little is known about the way this group experience emotions and mental wellbeing. The aim of this studywas to explore young Pacific male athletes’ perceptions and experiences of emotions and mental wellbeing.This qualitative study involved 20 face-to-face interviews with young Pacific males (16–24 years) engaged inelite rugby union and rugby league programmes in Auckland, New Zealand. The results identified thatathletes defined mental wellbeing in a holistic and relational manner and perceived and mental wellbeing asthe culmination of several interconnected factors, including: Family support, reciprocating family support,living a ‘well-balanced’ life, athletic performance, and personal development away from sports. Themaintenance of a well-balanced athletic identity and positive social relations were deemed central tosustaining mental wellbeing for these young men.

Mental health is a pressing issue among Pacific communities in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly among young Pacific men who have a high incidence of suicide deaths and reduced access to mental health services. Young Pacific men are heavily represented in professional sports, and despite limited empirical evidence, anecdotal evidence suggests that young Pacific male athletes face numerous factors that deter help-seeking behavior. In response, a mixed-methods study was carried out with young Pacific male athletes (n = 123) and key stakeholders (n = 12) to explore athletes’ views and experiences of mental health help-seeking. The results revealed that athletes held low levels of “personal stigma” and were supportive of other athletes seeking help for mental distress, but also held high levels of “perceived stigma” and negative views toward seeking help for their own mental distress. These findings extend the literature and provide tailored strategies to facilitate help-seeking among young Pacific male athletes.

No abstract

No abstract