IOC Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool (SMHRT-1)

Practice Profile
Implementing organisation:
International Olympic Committee (IOC) – Mental Health Working Group
Geographical scope:
International
Implementation period:
Published 2020–2021
Primary beneficiaries:
Coaches, parents, teammates and other members of the entourage of athletes aged 16+.
Practice overview
The IOC Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool (SMHRT-1) was developed by the IOC Mental Health Working Group as a practical tool to help people around athletes recognise possible signs of mental health difficulties.
The IOC developed two complementary tools: SMHAT-1, a three-step assessment tool intended for sports physicians and licensed health professionals, and SMHRT-1, specifically designed for non-clinicians.
SMHRT-1 identifies changes in thoughts, feelings, behaviours and physical functioning which, when significant or persistent, may indicate a mental health problem and may require referral to an appropriate professional. The tool is explicitly intended to recognise, not diagnose. RS4MH VCoP Good Practices updat…
Core components
1. Evidence-based warning signs presented in a practical format.
2. Designed for coaches, parents, teammates and other members of an athlete’s entourage, rather than clinicians.
3. A clear distinction between recognising possible concerns and diagnosing a mental health condition.
4. Encouragement to seek appropriate professional support and referral when concerns are identified.
5. Available in several languages and free to use, subject to IOC conditions on reproduction and use. RS4MH VCoP Good Practices updat…
Relevance to youth mental health and racket sports
SMHRT-1 is particularly relevant to RS4MH because coaches, parents and other adults around young athletes are often among the first people who may notice changes in behaviour, mood or performance.
The tool supports the early-recognition stage of the RS4MH model. It can help coaches and PE teachers understand when a change may be more significant than normal fluctuations in motivation or performance and when it may be appropriate to encourage the young person to seek professional support.
It is directly relevant to the RS Supporting Minds core module and the RS4MH guide for young people in need. It also fits the RS4MH target group of athletes aged 16–23. RS4MH VCoP Good Practices updat…
Transfer and adaptation potential
Very high.
The tool can be incorporated into coach and PE teacher education without requiring organisations to develop their own recognition framework.
For grassroots racket sports organisations, it could be used to:
– introduce coaches to common warning signs;
– support discussions about mental health during coach education;
– help parents understand when a young athlete may need additional support;
– strengthen referral and signposting procedures;
– include a short “recognise and refer – do not diagnose” section in safeguarding or wellbeing training;
– support the RS Supporting Minds learning materials.
For younger athletes under 16, the source recommends using the tool as general guidance rather than as a direct assessment tool. RS4MH VCoP Good Practices updat…
Reference sources
1. Gouttebarge et al. – SMHAT-1 and SMHRT-1, British Journal of Sports Medicine
2. IOC Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool (SMHRT-1) – Athlete365
VCoP Reflection
What changes in a young athlete’s behaviour, mood or performance might make you concerned, and how confident are you that you would know when to listen, when to refer and when not to try to diagnose?