An International Comparative Study on the Sport Development for People with Mental Health Problems in 5 Nations

Aims: The aim of this study is to explore how sports for people with mental health problems have been promoted in 5 nations, which are Italy, England, Denmark, Germany and Japan. Those countries have developed sport for people with mental health problems, according to Tanaka et al. (2013). This study attempts to identify each support system in order to contribute to international sport movement for people with mental health problems.

Backgrounds: People with physical and intellectual disabilities in many nations have come to enjoy sport not only for rehabilitation but also as a normal part of everyday life. On the other hand, sport of/for people with mental health problems is quite primitive. Although the values of sport for people with mental health problems have been recognized, the support systems for people with mental health problems in terms of sports activities have yet to be well explained. Nevertheless, Tanaka et al (2013) found that those 5 nations have developed sport for people with mental health problems over the last two decades.

Methodology: Meta-analysis, a questionnaire and semi-structure interview methods were employed. To deeply understand, this study utilises the policy frameworks such as advocacy coalition framework to describe characteristics, and similarities/differences of sport systems in those nations.  

Discussions: This study has found a crucial point. That is, there are two types of sport development backgrounds, which are medical based (Italy and Japan) or sport based (England, Denmark and Germany). This point led to three important aspects. First, this point is relation to awareness of targeted illness by key actors. Second, it links to the types of national governing bodies. Third, nations whose ideas are based on the sport tend to organise sport games/championships, while nations whose ideas are based on the medical treatment organise sport promotion event.