ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of mental health in relation to sport organizations. This overview offers conceptual and operational perspectives that will serve as a foundation for subsequent chapters of the book. Accordingly, mental health in sport organizations will be discussed in ways that have import for practitioners who work with athletes, coaches, and staff in organizational contexts. First, the chapter offers a brief overview of the evolution of mental health in general. Second, it discusses conceptions and definitions of mental health regarding mental health in sports. Third, it gives a definition of mental health for use in sport organizations. Fourth, the chapter considers risk and protective factors that relate to mental health in sport organizations at individual, team, and organizational levels. Fifth, it makes distinctions regarding mental skills, life skills, and mental health. Sixth, it presents the nature, scope, and indicators of a mentally healthy sport organization. Finally, the chapter offers exercises for practitioners.
