Book excerpt: There is increasing recognition of the mental health needs of elite athletes and sports professionals. The first of its kind, this important new book draws on lived experience from professional athletes bringing together the latest evidence-based research on severe mental illness recognition and management within elite sport. Each chapter focuses on a different sport with a case-study example to guide you through diagnosis and developing a biopsychosocial management plan, followed by self-assessment tools at the end of each case to help consolidate your learning. Each chapter has been co-authored by a mix of psychiatrists, sports medicine specialists and allied health care professionals to bring a diverse range of professional opinions and insights relating to optimising athlete mental health. Each chapter also features the unique perspective of a professional athlete from that sport, to gain insight from lived experience.