Athletes on the World Class Programme will have access to experts in mental wellbeing and people performance.

British Athletics has announced a new partnership to provide all members of the World Class Programme with access to counselling and mental health support service.

The partnership with industry experts Cognacity will provide Olympic and Paralympic World Class Programme athletes with rapid 24/7 access to the company’s national team of psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors.

The service will also be extended to support all athletes at European and World Championships and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cognacity’s team of psychiatrists and psychologists understand the pressures that elite and amateur athletes face and offer a combination of expertise in mental wellbeing and people performance.

Athletes will have direct and immediate access to vital psychological resources, that will help to minimise some of the barriers that can prevent those from seeking help, such as the stigma of mental illness.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer WCP athletes immediate access to renowned mental health experts who understand high performance sport,” said British Athletics Chief Medical Officer Noel Pollock. “We are also delighted to be able to support British Athletics staff and athletes at those major international competitions with this important service.”

Athletes can expect the very best treatment pathways from Cognacity’s clinical team, who have extensive experience in the assessment of the full range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, specific performance related issues, depression, addictions and eating disorders.

British Athletics Performance Director Neil Black added: “Thanks to the partnership, help and support will always be available, and we would encourage athletes to utilise the expertise and guidance offered by Cognacity as and when they feel the need to.”

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.