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Mental health in sport took centre stage at the XXIII Sports Management Seminar – Sport and Mental Health, held at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) in Rio de Janeiro. The event brought together academics, practitioners, and leaders from across the sports ecosystem to explore one of the most pressing and evolving topics facing the industry today.

A key moment of the seminar for the FIFA Master Alumni community was the intervention by Finlay Batts from the United Nations Youth Office (UNYO), who highlighted the growing global importance of mental health in youth-focused policy agendas.

During his presentation, Finlay referenced the partnership between the FMA Committee and the UN Youth Office, emphasizing the relevance of collaboration between sport organisations and international institutions in addressing mental health challenges.

Finlay also presented the #Football4MentalHealth initiative, which continues to gain international momentum. The initiative is expected to be hosted at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, marking an important milestone in the collaboration between the FMA community and the UN Youth Office.

After the event, Finlay said: “‘One World, One Game, One Goal’ on the 17 July at the UN Headquarters in New York will be an important opportunity for young people, partners and allies to celebrate sport as a catalyst for youth mental health and wellbeing ahead of the 2026 World Cup Final.”

The seminar also addressed the important connection between sport and broader social challenges through the work of NO MORE, an international initiative focused on ending domestic and sexual violence.

Pamela Zaballa, CEO of NO MORE, delivered a keynote presentation highlighting how sport organisations can play a meaningful role in raising awareness, promoting prevention, and supporting cultural change around these issues.

Her intervention was complemented by Jane Randel, Co-Founder of NO MORE and Senior Advisor to the NFL, who shared examples from professional sport in the United States illustrating how leagues and organisations have developed policies, education programmes, and accountability mechanisms to address violence and support affected individuals.

After the event, Pamela said: “Sport has an extraordinary power to shape culture and influence behaviour, which is why it must be part of the solution to some of society’s most pressing challenges, including gender-based violence. It is not only a platform for raising awareness, but a space to model healthy relationships, build self-esteem, and drive lasting cultural change. By working together across sectors, we can ensure that sport becomes a force for prevention, safety, and support for those affected by abuse.”

Academic Leadership and Institutional Collaboration

The seminar was organised as part of the FGV/FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management, bringing together experts from academia, sport organisations, and international institutions.

Vincent Monnier, Director of the FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management, attended the event and highlighted the importance of addressing mental health as part of the broader development of sport management education and leadership.

He said: “Organised annually by FGV as part of the FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management, this seminar has established itself over the years as a benchmark, thanks to the relevance of the topics covered, the calibre of the speakers and the keen interest shown by participants. The issue of athletes’ mental health can no longer be ignored by leaders in today’s sporting world. I want to say a big thank you to FGV and the FMA community for their commitment to organising and participating in these seminars, which provide an opportunity to listen, debate, exchange ideas and enhance the training of Brazilian sports managers.”

The seminar was also supported by Francisco Rubio Sánchez (FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management) and Luiz Ernesto Migliora Neto (FGV/FGV Educação Executiva), reflecting the strong institutional collaboration behind the initiative.

Perspectives from Across the Sports Ecosystem

The programme featured several panel discussions examining mental health in sport from different perspectives.

One panel focused on the relationship between sport and mental well-being, with contributions from Finlay Batts and Jane Randel, moderated by Ricardo Trade.

Another session explored mental health across the sports ecosystem—from supporters to elite athletes. Moderated by Luciano Portela, the panel brought together Marina Penteado Gusson, Gilberto Silva, Mauro Silva, and Fábio Figueiras.

Fábio, FIFA Master Alumnus and member of the FMA Committee, presented the MindFit VR project, illustrating how emerging technologies such as virtual reality can support mental health and well-being in sport.

His presentation highlighted how innovative tools can complement traditional approaches to mental health support, particularly in high-performance environments.

After the event, he said: “Participating in this congress was a truly enriching opportunity to engage with such a timely and important topic as mental health in sport. The exchange of perspectives - from grassroots to elite level - reinforced the need for continued dialogue and the integration of both traditional and emerging approaches to better support mental health in high-performance environments.”

The Role of Physical Activity in Mental Well-Being

The final panel addressed the impact of physical activity on mental health, bringing together Andrea Deslandes, Sidarta Ribeiro, and Mizael Conrado, moderated by Milena Titoneli.

The discussion emphasized the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle as a key component of mental well-being. Mizael Conrado closed the session with an inspiring overview of the Paralympic movement, illustrating the transformative power of sport through powerful real-world examples.

Strong Representation from the FIFA Master Community

The seminar also highlighted the continued engagement of FIFA Master Alumni in addressing key issues affecting the global sports industry.

Special recognition goes to Pedro Trengrouse, FIFA Master Alumnus and President of the FMA Committee, whose leadership played an important role in coordinating the seminar programme and ensuring strong participation from the alumni community.

Looking Ahead

The discussions in Rio reinforced the growing importance of mental health across all levels of sport. They also highlighted the role that partnerships between academia, sport organisations, and international institutions can play in advancing meaningful change.

For the FMA community, the seminar represented another important step in strengthening the collaboration with the United Nations Youth Office, as initiatives such as Football4MentalHealth continue to develop and expand globally.