Sports clubs, governing bodies and organisations have been urged to more seriously consider the mental health of those working or competing in their sector after new research showed that almost two-thirds of women in sport had suffered mental illness.

The study, which was the first of its kind and conducted by Edge Hill University in partnership with DOCIAsport, also found than 51 per cent of men involved in sport had experienced mental illness.

The most alarming figures, however, related to young women aged between 16 and 24, with 70 per cent saying that they had experienced mental illness and over half saying that they are currently experiencing mental illness. Men were more likely to experience mental illness after the age of 35.

The report, which examined the responses of over 1,200 people aged 16 and over who play sport, exercise or work in the sport and physical activity sector, follows the Telegraph’s survey of elite sportswomen that found almost a third had suffered sexual harassment and 49 per cent had been the victim of bullying.

Anxiety, depression, panic disorders, self-harm, PTSD and OCD were the most commonly reported illnesses for men and women, with men also reporting conditions such as substance use disorders and women anorexia and bulimia.