Mental health – a key prerequisite of modern sport

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (MOC) organised a panel discussion at the SIRO Boka Place Hotel in Tivat. The event brought together athletes, experts, and the public to highlight the importance of psychological preparation and emotional resilience in sport, as well as to open a dialogue on the challenges athletes face off the field.

The panel featured Olympic sailor and Chair of the MOC Athletes’ Commission, Milivoj Dukić; renowned handball player and Olympic silver medallist, Anđela Bulatović; and sports psychologist, Nikola Mijušković. The discussion was moderated by Maja Peković, Deputy Secretary General of the MOC.

Peković stressed that the MOC has for some time been developing educational programmes focused not only on the physical but also on the psychological preparation of athletes, emphasising that mental health is the foundation of modern sport. She also announced the first Montenegrin Sports Forum, which will take place in Podgorica at the end of November and will bring together athletes, coaches and experts from Montenegro and the wider region.

Sailor Milivoj Dukić, who has competed in four Olympic Games, underlined that pressure is an inevitable part of professional sport. He believes that success depends on an athlete’s willingness to face themselves and to learn and adapt continuously.

“There is no magic wand that solves problems. Everyone must go through the process, get to know themselves and learn to recognise their own limits. The key to longevity in sport is flexibility, communication and the readiness to keep learning,” said Dukić.

He added that routines such as meditation and light stretching help him manage pressure, “refreshing both body and mind”.

Speaking about the mental challenges athletes face, Dukić pointed out that systemic support is lacking in Montenegro.

“Earlier in my career, I struggled a lot because I did not have professional help. It took me a long time to learn that talking to a psychologist is a sign of strength, not weakness. Fortunately, today this is far more widely accepted,” he noted.

Anđela Bulatović, who won Olympic silver and the European Championship title with Montenegro, emphasised that pressure in team sports is manifold, as athletes compete not only for themselves but also for their teammates, their club and their country.

“When we reached the semi-final in London, only then did we truly realise that the whole of Montenegro was behind us. That feeling of carrying your country’s colours before millions of people is an enormous pressure, but also an enormous honour. Our success was the result of mutual trust, support and belief that we could achieve it,” said Bulatović.

She also noted that female athletes are often exposed to additional social pressures unrelated to sport.

“Women in sport are judged on many things that have nothing to do with performance – appearance, behaviour, private life. I often received comments about my looks rather than my game, and that bothered me. I want to be remembered for my sporting achievements, not for a photograph,” Bulatović underlined.

Sports psychologist Nikola Mijušković explained that caring for mental health has become a key prerequisite of modern sport, noting that the differences between individual and team sports are becoming increasingly less pronounced.

According to him, athletes in individual sports have greater control over the factors affecting their performance, but they are also more exposed to feelings of loneliness and self-imposed pressure.

“In team sports, emotions are shared, but there is also added responsibility towards others. In both cases, psychological preparation is what makes the difference,” Mijušković said.

He stressed that women’s sport requires a tailored approach, as female athletes face multiple challenges ranging from hormonal changes to societal expectations.

“Women in sport take on much greater risks. They often fight to prove they belong at the top level while also thinking about family, motherhood, and career. The system must do more to support them, enabling them to succeed without a sense of guilt,” he said.

Speaking about the changing perceptions of mental health, Mijušković pointed out that in the past 15 years, the taboo around psychological support for athletes has significantly decreased, although stigma still exists.

“In the past, athletes would visit psychologists almost in secret, fearing that coaches would perceive them as weak. Today, awareness is improving, but there is still work to be done. Mental health must become an integral part of every sporting plan, just like nutrition or physical preparation,” Mijušković emphasised.

The panel also addressed issues such as digital pressure, balancing career and private life, and the psychological challenges of retirement from sport. Participants agreed that mental strength does not mean the absence of emotions, but rather the ability to recognise and channel them appropriately.

It was concluded that Montenegro possesses outstanding sporting talent, but that further investment in education and support is essential to allow young athletes to grow in a healthy and safe environment.

The MOC announced that similar discussions and workshops will continue to be organised, with the conclusions and experiences to be presented at the upcoming Sports Forum in Podgorica.