Inside ISSF

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) is a standardised assessment tool aiming to identify at an early-stage elite athletes (defined as professional, Olympic, Paralympic and collegiate level; 16 and older) potentially at risk for or already experiencing mental health symptoms and disorders, in order to facilitate timely referral of those in need to adequate support and/or treatment.

The IOC Mental Health Working Group developed the IOC Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1 (SMHRT-1) to assist athletes, coaches, family members and other members of an athlete’s entourage to recognise mental health symptoms or disorders in elite athletes.

NOTE: the SMHRT-1 is not a diagnostic tool.

In addition to the SMHRT-1 tool, the IOC Mental Health Working Group developed the IOC Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1).

The SMHAT-1 is a standardised assessment tool to be used by sports medicine physicians and other licensed/registered health professionals to help identify at an early stage those elite athletes who may be at risk or are already experiencing mental health symptoms and disorders, and to help facilitate timely referrals for those in need of support and/or treatment.

Ideally, use of the SMHAT-1 should be scheduled as a routine screening alongside an athlete’s regular physical screenings or check-ups.

It is recommended that the SMHAT-1 be used during the pre-competition period (i.e., a few weeks after the start of sports training), as well as within the mid- and end-season period.

The tool may also be used when any significant event for an athlete occurs, such as injury, illness, surgery, unexplained performance concerns, after a major competition, at the end of a competitive cycle, if there is suspected harassment/abuse, if there is a sudden adverse life event, or if the athlete is transitioning out of sport.

As mentioned above, the clinical assessment (and related management) within the SMHAT-1 should be conducted only by sports medicine physicians and/or licensed/registered mental health professionals.

You can find the SMHAT-1 here:
SMHAT-1