Developing international guidelines for paralympic games mental health support
Welcome!
​Here you can find out information related to our project aimed at supporting Paralympic athlete mental health at the Games.
​​If you wish to join our mailing list for an invitation to take part, or just to find out more at this stage, then please contact Georgia at g.a.bird@bham.ac.uk, or click the button below to sign up.
Meet the team.
Dr Amanda Gatherer
Mental Health Expert Panel
& Organisation Lead
UKSI
Dr Georgia Bird
Postdoctoral Researcher
& Academic Lead
University of Birmingham
international steering group & collaborators.
7 practitioner experts and an athlete advisor have been convened to offer guidance on the direction of the project, ensuring the delivery of the research and any associated outputs reflect the needs of Paralympic Sport. Photographed below is the steering group, along with our broader research team.
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Petra Dallmann, Jessica Bartley, Lyndel Abbott, Christian Lykkeby Olsen
Yoko Dozono
Medical and Scientific Lead
International Paralympic Committee
Susan Cockle MA, R.Psych.
Mental Health Lead
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Vanessa Nicole Akiwumi
Mental Health Coach
Kenya
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Sam Cumming
Chief of Mental Health
UKSI
Professor Jennifer Cumming
Senior Researcher
University of Birmingham
​
Dr Mary Quinton
Senior Researcher
University of Birmingham
Project overview.
Mental health is widely recognised as a core part of athlete health and safety in elite sport. While much of the existing guidance has been developed within non‑disabled sport contexts, we still need to understand how these approaches translate into Paralympic systems, and where thoughtful adaptations could help ensure they are feasible, relevant, and supportive for Paralympic athletes and staff lived realities.
This project aims to build on current elite sport mental health guidance by developing Paralympic‑informed recommendations across the Games cycle. Working with athletes, practitioners, and organisational stakeholders, we are exploring where existing guidance aligns well and where context‑specific adjustments can strengthen support.
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Together, we can create coordinated, practical, and contextually meaningful mental health support before, during, and after the Paralympic Games, shaped by the people who know this environment best.
How you can help.
What is the purpose of our work?
This study aims to build global guidelines on how best to support the mental health of Paralympic athletes before, during, and after the Summer and Winter Games. Your insights will help shape practical, inclusive recommendations that reflect the realities of elite sport.
We are seeking participants with experience of the Paralympic Games. This includes, but is not limited to: athletes, coaches, mental health practitioners, physios, academics, organising committees, national governing bodies, and international bodies. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you’re welcome to ask any questions before deciding to take part.
What does participation involve?
If you choose to join us, your involvement will include:
- A one-hour Teams interview to share your views on how we can best provide Paralympic Games mental health support. This will be audio and video recorded for research purposes, accessible only to the research team.
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- A follow-up round of anonymous voting on draft recommendations. A third round may be needed if consensus isn’t reached.
To thank you for your time, you’ll receive a £50 Amazon e-voucher.
We hope you’ll consider contributing to this work.
Project highlights.
Collaborating with us on this work is an international steering group of practitioner experts and athlete representatives. These voices amplify lived experience and ensure our work is created with, and not for, those who will use and benefit from the guidelines.
Interviews are well underway and we would love to include your experiences and thoughts! Click the 'sign up' button above to express interest.
Highlights from this project have been presented at international conferences, including GAMeS in November 2025 and QRSE in May 2026.
