Athletes are not at greater risk for death by suicide: A review

Abstract

IntroductionSuicide represents a major mental and public health issue. Elite athletes share certain individual and environmental characteristics that may increase their risk for mental illnesses, ultimately leading to suicide. This notion conflicts with the general perception of athletes, being the healthiest representatives of society.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was carried out through PubMed and Embase databases for relevant publications.ResultsRecent calls for investigating suicidality among athletes resulted in a considerable amount of literature providing some evidence regarding lower rates of suicide among professional and high‐performance athletes as well as similar incidence and prevalence of mental conditions, which are known as risk factors for suicide. Nevertheless, special attention is required in this population as predisposing and precipitating factors might differ from classical features of suicidality in the general population. Sports physicians, sports psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals in elite sports should be aware of early signs of affective disorders, risk of recreational drug abuse, misuse of performance‐enhancing medications, sport‐specific environmental stressors, serious physical injuries, and presence of physical or mental illness, all of which may increase suicidality. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is with suicide with higher severity correlated with increased risk. Compared to active athletes, former athletes may have higher rates of suicide due to common life stressors occurring after sports retirement.ConclusionsThe findings suggest a multidisciplinary approach to suicidality in elite athletes, the main goal of which should be the reduction of suicide‐related morbidity and mortality. Further research is required to clarify the existing gaps in the current knowledge of the issue. While having lower rates of suicide, athletes share some similar (affective disorders, drug abuse, mental and physical illness) and unique factors (misuse of performance‐enhancing substances, sports‐related stressors, sports injuries, TBI) putting them at risk of suicide during active career and retirement.

Preventing Suicide and Promoting Mental Health Among Student-Athletes From Diverse Backgrounds

“…22 Specific to athletes, as noted in a recent review of 42 studies, at the college and professional levels, suicide rates appear to be lower in athletes compared with the general population, which may partially be related to the many ways sports contributes to better mental health. 23 However, athletes experience unique demands such as increased professionalism at a young age, balancing academics with training loads, managing high expectations, and injury recovery, 24,25 making mental health conditions and suicidal risk crucially important to address. In a retrospective review of 477 NCAA student-athlete deaths over a 9-year period, 7% died by suicide.…”

“…Suicidality is especially a concern in injured athletes, particularly when depression is present. 12,23,34 An athlete's primary mode of expression is their body. When their body fails, the injury and precipitating loss of mastery and control can be devastating.…”