Reimagining Coaching: A Dual-Competency Framework for Embedding Mental Health Literacy in Collegiate Sport

Coaching plays a pivotal role in shaping the mental health and well-being of student-athletes, profoundly influencing psychological resilience, motivation, and athletic performance. Coaching styles, ranging from autonomy-supportive to authoritarian, carry distinct implications for stress regulation, emotional well-being, and burnout risk. Research increasingly demonstrates that positive coaching behaviors, characterized by empathy, autonomy support, and emotional intelligence, are associated with improved mental health outcomes; while controlling and punitive approaches exacerbate psychological strain. Despite growing awareness, significant gaps persist in how coaching is systematically integrated into athlete mental health frameworks. This short communication synthesizes theoretical and empirical literature to advance a novel Dual-Competency Model of Coaching that repositions mental health literacy as a core coaching function, co-equal with technical and performance expertise. By bridging coach education and mental health disciplines, the model provides an interdisciplinary framework for reimagining coaching practice, policy, and education.

Keywords: Coaching Styles, Athlete Mental Health, Student-Athlete Well-Being.