In this episode of Women's Football Hub, host Carolyn Kent interviews Mark McGuigan, an occupational therapist and mental health practitioner who works with athletes in the sports industry. Mark is the Director at Willow Grove Consultants and a Player Care Consultant at the Player Care Group. He has extensive experience working in mental health services and has recently focused on supporting the mental health of elite athletes, particularly those recovering from long-term injuries. Main Topics Discussed - Mark's background as an occupational therapist and how he got involved in supporting athletes' mental health (00:00:49) - The concept of "occupational deprivation" and how it applies to athletes dealing with injuries or retirement (00:01:32) - Developing an "injured athlete pathway" to provide structured support during the recovery process (00:03:22) - Addressing mental health challenges that elite athletes face, beyond just injury-related issues (00:04:40) - Differences in supporting mental health for elite vs. recreational/amateur athletes (00:10:59) - Common mental health scenarios Mark encounters, such as anxiety, depression, and maintaining balance/structure (00:16:22) - A hypothetical case study of supporting an athlete through a major injury (00:20:11) Where to Find Mark McGuigan - Willow Grove Consultants website: https://www.willowgrove.consulting/ - Social media: - LinkedIn: Mark McGuigan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcguigan/) Key Terms & References - Occupational therapy - Occupational deprivation - Injured athlete pathway - Mental health support - Anxiety - Depression - Behavioral activation - Multidisciplinary team - Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)

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