Mental Health Guidelines in Esports: A Delphi Study to Define the Scope and Content

Esports is a rapidly growing global industry with millions of participants, yet there are no standardised mental health frameworks to support players, coaches, and organisations. This study aimed to identify key priorities for developing international mental health guidelines tailored to esports, defining their scope and outlining the roles of key stakeholders. Using a modified Delphi approach, an expert panel of 18 professionals specialising in esports and mental health participated in a two-round consensus process. In Round One, qualitative responses identified five key areas of focus, leading to the development of 13 statements on mental health promotion, prevention, and care. In Round Two, panel members rated their agreement and the perceived importance of these statements using a 4-point Likert scale, with statements reaching 80% consensus included in the final recommendations. Of the 13 statements, 12 achieved consensus, emphasising the need for mental health literacy programs, safe and healthy environments, and structured mental health first aid training for coaches and community leaders. The expert panel also highlighted the responsibility of game publishers, tournament organisers, and governing bodies in promoting mental health resources and policies. This study provides a foundation for evidence-based esports mental health guidelines, which can inform future policy development, industry practices, and player support systems.