Journal 61 of Sport and Citizenship will focus on sport and mental health
Jounal 61 of the journal Sport and Citizenship, to be published in March 2026, will focus on the theme of Sport and Mental Health, now a key issue in European societies.
According to the October 2023 Eurobarometer survey, 46% of Europeans say they have experienced an emotional or psychosocial problem, such as anxiety or depression, in the last twelve months. However, the situation varies from country to country: in France, 13 million people experience mental health issues every year, representing nearly one in five French people, and one in three people will experience such issues during their lifetime. This reality has prompted the public authorities to make mental health a National Priority for 2025 and 2026.
The report will focus particularly on the French context to show how sport can become a valuable lever: regular physical activity reduces anxiety, improves well-being, boosts self-confidence and combats isolation, while also playing a role in the prevention and sometimes the treatment of certain disorders. This issue is a direct continuation of the work carried out with partners from the 2025 Citizen Conferences on Sport.
The issue will also analyse the action taken by European institutions on these issues, examining how the European Union is gradually integrating mental health into its public and sports policies, in particular through the work of the European Commissioner for Sport, Glenn Micallef, and the Council of Europe.
The thematic sections will also provide an overview of news related to major social issues in sport, while the ‘Sport and Citizenship in Action’ section will present news about our European projects and recent initiatives.
Finally, the issue will feature an interview with Serge Betsen, an iconic figure in sport, focusing on his career, his commitment and the contribution of sport to individual and collective well-being.
Sport and Citizenship is the only think tank in Europe whose social purpose is to analyse sports policies and study the societal impact of sport. Three times a year, it explores a societal theme related to sport in depth in a publication that includes articles by experts, interviews with influential figures and analyses of specific cases. The journal covers the issues at stake and proposes solutions to steer our society, our policies and our organisations, whether private or public, towards a more responsible approach to sport. It is also an opportunity for Sport et Citoyenneté to review its latest news.
