Soccer Referee Mental Health: Developing a Network of Soccer Referee Mental Health Champions

Stigma and the lack of understanding of mental health still permeates elite sport. The mental health of referees remains a somewhat taboo subject in soccer and across the broad spectrum of high-performance sport environments. The lack of recognition, understanding and available support upon disclosing mental health challenges exacerbates feelings of low self-worth, shame and guilt within referees. The author presents the argument for a game-wide cultural shift in the way the role of the referee is considered whilst discussing their work within a National Soccer Association regarding the design of an evidence-based proposal and intervention.