PROMISE: A Global Conversation on Mental Health in Sport
The conversation around mental health has come a long way—but in the world of elite sport, it's only just getting started. While athletes may appear invincible on the field, pitch, or track, the reality is that the pressure to perform can take a profound toll on their mental well-being. The PROMISE Conference is at the forefront of this crucial dialogue, bringing together global experts to explore how we can better support athletes not just physically, but psychologically.
Why Mental Health in Sport Can No Longer Be Ignored
Elite athletes face a unique set of challenges. The constant pressure to succeed, the isolation of high-performance environments, injuries, public scrutiny, and the fleeting nature of sporting careers can all contribute to serious mental health struggles. And yet, these concerns are often pushed to the sidelines, overshadowed by performance metrics and physical recovery programs.
The Mental Health in Sport Conference exists to challenge that status quo. By shining a spotlight on early detection, long-term care, and stigma reduction, PROMISE offers a new model—one where mental health is not an afterthought, but a foundational part of athlete care.
Built by Experts, Backed by Science
The PROMISE programme isn’t a hastily curated agenda. It’s a rigorously designed event built by key members of the International Olympic Committee’s Mental Health Leadership Group. Experts like Dr. Brian Hainline, Prof. Margo Mountjoy, and Prof. Alan Currie bring decades of clinical insight and groundbreaking research to the table.
Attendees will gain exclusive access to the implications of the second IOC Consensus Meeting on Mental Health, learning what the latest evidence means for real-world practice. This isn’t theory. It’s actionable knowledge for clinicians, coaches, and support staff who work with athletes every day.
A Who’s Who of Global Sport Psychology
PROMISE isn’t just another academic gathering. It’s a meeting of minds from across the spectrum—team doctors, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and policy-makers all under one roof. Each speaker brings a specialised lens to the conversation, offering tools that can be applied immediately within any elite sporting context.
From diagnosing mental health disorders to implementing proactive wellbeing strategies, the insights offered at PROMISE are grounded in science, but built for use in the locker room, training pitch, and boardroom.
Creating a Culture of Care
What makes PROMISE unique is its insistence on a culture shift. It's not enough to treat symptoms after they appear. The aim is to build systems of support from the ground up—systems where athletes feel empowered to speak, and those around them are trained to listen.
The conference goes beyond clinical advice to tackle the heart of the issue: culture. Coaches, governing bodies, team managers, and even fellow athletes all have a role to play in fostering environments where mental health isn’t taboo, but a recognised and respected part of athlete welfare.
A Must-Attend for Every Athlete’s Inner Circle
Whether you're a mental health professional, physician, sports psychologist, or simply someone within an athlete’s circle of care, PROMISE is designed with you in mind. This in-person event is an unparalleled opportunity to network, learn, and leave with practical tools that can be implemented straight away.
If you're serious about protecting and promoting mental health in elite sport, this is not just a conference—it’s your call to action.
Register for PROMISE today and join the movement to redefine athlete wellness from the inside out.
