28 October 2025
The course is designed to help Judo coaches better understand and support mental health — both in themselves and in their students. While not a compulsory qualification, it reflects a growing movement within the Judo community to recognise the importance of mental wellbeing alongside physical performance and technical development.
The EJU Mental Health Basic Training course provides coaches with a foundational understanding of key mental health topics that affect athletes and instructors alike. It explores:
Recognising the early signs of mental health challenges
How to create a supportive training environment
The role of communication and empathy in coaching
Techniques for managing personal stress and avoiding burnout
When and how to seek further professional support
The course combines short video lectures, interactive materials, and scenario-based learning — all grounded in the principles of respect, awareness, and care that lie at the heart of Judo.
Mental health has become an increasingly important topic in all sports. In Judo, where the relationship between coach and athlete is built on trust, discipline, and mutual respect, understanding how to support the emotional and psychological wellbeing of students is essential.
For many young judoka, their club is a second home. Coaches often become mentors and role models, which makes it vital that we as instructors are equipped with the knowledge and sensitivity to recognise when someone might need help — or when we ourselves might.
As Gordon explained:
“This was an interesting course and shows the commitment Judo is making to educate coaches to best support each other, ourselves, and our students. It’s a great course, and I’d recommend it to all coaches.”
Although this EJU course is optional, our club believes that continuous education is a cornerstone of good coaching. Staying up to date with modern understanding around mental health allows us to create safer, more supportive dojos where everyone — from complete beginners to experienced black belts — feels valued and understood.
It’s not just about improving performance on the mat. It’s about recognising that every judoka’s journey includes challenges, doubts, and emotions that can affect how they train and learn. By taking part in training like the EJU’s Mental Health Basic Course, we can better understand how to respond compassionately and effectively.
This kind of learning reinforces the principles of Judo’s moral code — respect, courage, friendship, and self-control — and ensures that these values are alive not only in competition, but in how we care for one another every day.
The European Judo Union’s initiative is part of a wider effort to promote holistic wellbeing across all levels of the sport. In recent years, the EJU has introduced several online education opportunities for coaches, covering topics such as injury prevention, inclusion, and now mental health.
By prioritising mental health education, the EJU is helping to reshape the culture of coaching in Judo — moving from a purely performance-focused mindset to one that values wellbeing as a foundation for growth and success.
For clubs like ours, this is an exciting and important step. It helps coaches and students alike build stronger, more resilient communities, where mental health is spoken about openly and supportively.
Completing the EJU Mental Health Basic Training course is just one part of our club’s ongoing commitment to professional development and wellbeing. We’ll continue to seek out opportunities that help us improve as coaches and as a community — ensuring our dojo remains a safe, welcoming, and empowering place for all.
If you’re a Judo coach or club leader, we strongly encourage you to explore this course. It’s informative, accessible, and full of practical insights that will benefit both you and your students.
Together, we can make Judo not only a sport of strength and skill, but one of compassion, understanding, and care.
28 October 2025
