ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights several programs designed either to prevent the occurrence of threats to athletes’ psychosocial health and/or mitigate the effect of these threats on psychosocial health. It describes initiatives focused on bolstering strengths, as well as those adopting a universal and selective prevention approach. In addition to the enhanced quality of life that arises from not having to experience or treat a given health concern, proponents of preventive healthcare frequently cite economic benefits as a primary benefit of prevention. Tertiary prevention refers to ongoing symptom management and return to activity as appropriate. Within S. Gordon’s framework, universal prevention refers to initiatives aimed at the entire population, and for which the potential benefits of the prevention practice outweigh the cost of participating in the initiative. Selective prevention is used for individuals who have a higher than average risk of developing a health problem.
