“The cooperation with Heidelberg University Hospital expands our network. Together, we can address the mental health of TSG players and facilitate a targeted approach to mental health issues. We also want to provide support with teaching and research assignments and sports programmes,” says Jan Spielmann, managing director of the TSG ResearchLab and head sports psychologist at TSG Hoffenheim, about the new partnership.
“We are delighted to have a competent partner by our side in TSG Hoffenheim. We are sure that both sides will benefit from the cooperation and that an even greater focus will be placed on the integration of mental health concepts in young professional athletes as well as exercise and sport in the treatment of mental illness,” said medical directors Prof Dr Luise Poustka and Prof Dr Sabine Herpertz from Heidelberg University Hospital.
Mental health is an issue that is very important to TSG Hoffenheim. Accordingly, TSG and the TSG ResearchLab have long been committed to supporting projects in this area. This year, for the second time since 2019, TSG Hoffenheim received the “Mental Health Promotion Award in Youth Elite Sports” from the Robert Enke Foundation.
At Heidelberg University Hospital and the Heidelberg Medical Faculty (MFHD), mental health is a focus of patient treatment and research. Nationally and internationally renowned experts work together at the interdisciplinary Centre for Psychosocial Medicine (ZPM). The UKHD and TSG Hoffenheim want to use their respective expertise to promote innovative approaches to the prevention and treatment of mental illness. For example, workshops will be held for coaching teams and players to sensitise them to the topic. The clinics will be the first point of contact for psychiatric counselling for young TSG players. In addition, the experts at the UKHD will be the point of contact for TSG Hoffenheim’s (sports) psychology staff. TSG offers support with sports programmes at the clinics. Joint research projects and cooperation in teaching, educational and destigmatisation programmes are planned for the future.