In conjunction with the University of Chichester and Winchester University, the CounterStrike Professional Players’ Association (CSPPA) has conducted a study into the mental health of CS:=GO’s players.
The research, led by Dr Phil Birch, Ben Sharpe, and Dr. Matt Smith, will examine mental health factors in skilled CS: GO actors. The CSPPA has released a declaration that “elite CS: GO players face major stressors in their competitive lives” has been demonstrated by preliminary evidence.
It’s said that it’s the first analysis of its kind, and uses the “expertise of academics, professional stakeholders’ organizations, retired professional players and coaches.” Earlier this year, Astralis player Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander announced a temporary medical leave, revealing his struggle with “symptoms of stress and burnout.” His Danish teammate Andreas “Xyp9x” Højsleth also took leave, elsewhere Olof “olofmeister” Kajbker left FaZe Clan’s active roster to recover from fatigue.
Soon after the Gla1ve collapsed, the CSPPA issued a Twitter statement “We need to speak in professional CS: GOs and esports about mental health concerns.” The group has announced that they will meet players and teams to address mental health measures.
The CSPPA hopes that the survey would contribute “to overcome a lack of awareness about the mental health factors of CSGO.”
The group added in a statement, “We are best placed to help professional players meet the demands of competitive competition by [using the survey]. Many esports will gain a greater understanding of their players’ mental wellbeing and underline the relevance of mental health to the wider environment of esports.
