Demand for mental health support from Olympic athletes and staff has increased almost 80 per cent on last year, with COVID-19 stress a main theme.
The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) revealed a huge spike in requests for assistance from its Mental Health Referral Network (MHRN) at the start of 2021 compared to the same period a year ago.
The impact of COVID-19 was the primary or secondary issue in about 80 per cent of the referrals.
AIS boss Peter Conde said in a statement that the delay to the Olympics and continuing uncertainty surrounding the Tokyo Games, which are set to get underway in late July, has caused anxiety for some.
"It has been an extended wait for these Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics and excitement is no doubt building as the Games countdown continues.
"It's natural, however, that there will also be anxiety given the unique and complex preparation for these Games as well as the shifting environments here and abroad."
Conde wasn't alarmed by the rise in demand but attributed to the growing awareness of the service, with some sports and teams adopting it as a regular check-in.
The MHRN has a national network of mental health practitioners and is available to almost 3000 people in Australian high-performance sport including athletes, coaches, support staff and even athletes' family members.
The AIS has also funded and embedded more than 30 athlete wellbeing and engagement managers in national sporting organisations to directly support athletes.
Jodie Henry, who won three swimming Olympics gold medals in Athens in 2004, holds the role within her former sport.
Henry said it was understandable for athletes to feel anxious ahead of any Games, but Tokyo would have unique challenges:
"There's a lot of unknowns and that's going to be the biggest challenge of these Games.
"But there is support and one of the encouraging things I've noticed in this role is the openness of current athletes to discuss their feelings.
"Talking to someone can make all the difference."
- with AAP
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