EU culture and sports ministers, meeting on 12 May 2026, debated mental health in sport, calling for a shift from individual resilience to system-level responsibility. The Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council heard from guest speakers and national ministers who stressed that athletes, coaches, and officials need structural support, not just personal coping strategies.
EU Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef highlighted the EU action plan on cyberbullying and argued that success in sport now depends on both physical and psychological preparation. Guest speaker Kim Bui, representing the International Olympic Committee, called for organisational accountability and referenced the IOC Mental Health Action Plan. George Lewis of the University of Thessaly warned that coaches face stigma and burnout with little support.
Several national ministers contributed concrete proposals. Finland’s minister, a four-time Olympian, advocated for early support and cited the Ice Hearts model and the Young Mind in Sport initiative. Croatia’s minister urged open discussion and intersectoral cooperation. France’s minister quoted athlete Marie-José Pérec to illustrate the need to break the silence around mental health struggles.
The Council also approved conclusions on sustainable sport tourism. Next steps include integrating mental health into the upcoming Council recommendation on health-enhancing physical activity. Affected stakeholders include athletes, coaches, officials, and the wider sports workforce across all levels, who would benefit from systemic support but may face implementation challenges across different member states and sports organisations.