Sport can play a key role in bid to remove stigma surrounding mental health

In this blog, Michael Pavitt, Junior Reporter for Inside the Games, talks about the launch of the Mental Health Charter and his perspective on why a public conversation about mental health in sport is important.

I have to admit to being a little surprised to receive an invitation arrive in my inbox which began with "The Deputy Prime Minister requests the pleasure of your company" at the launch of the Mental Health Charter for Sport.

On arriving at Lancaster House in London, which lies next door to Buckingham Palace, it became clear that I would not meet the said individual, who goes by the name of Nick Clegg. Alas.

The Deputy Prime Minister had helped to launch the Mental Health Charter at the Oval Cricket ground in London, but was not present at the subsequent reception to be held in the grand Lancaster House.

Instead Norman Lamb, Minister of State for Care and Support, was among the first to speak to the assembled crowd at the reception, which predominantly comprised of representatives from various sporting bodies.

The Liberal Democrat MP began his speech in rather jovial fashion, pointing out the event would be his last as a Minister, with his party unlikely to have a role in Government after next month's general election.

Lamb then turned towards the issue of the Charter stating: "If we can help people who are involved in sport, but also use the power of sport and sporting personalities to open up, to talk about their own experiences and make it easier for others to be open, then we can achieve an awful lot."

One such individual is former professional footballer Clarke Carlisle, who suffering from depression, attempted suicide in December. The former Premier League defender, with Burnley, is now recovering from the attempt and attended the launch to give the Charter his backing. Carlisle is now seen as one of the most influential voices in helping to raise awareness of the issue of mental ill health, particularly in sport.

One of the Charter's aims is get elite sporting organisations to provide a framework for their athletes, which provides them with an environment to help them talk about potential mental health problems. 

Emma Boggis, chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, who alongside the Professional Players Association, created the Charter believes that there needs to be a shift in the way that sport and mental health are associated. "Too much of the association between sport and mental health is negative - like when a top athlete suffers problems," she said. "We want to re-frame that relationship so that people understand that sport is a positive place for conversations about mental health."

Boggis' statement made me think back to another high profile case surrounding the mental health of an elite sportsman, England cricketer Jonathan Trott. The batsman left England's Ashes tour of Australia citing a long standing stress-related condition, however his departure was immediately met with suspicion, with people debating whether he was merely leaving due to poor form.

The debate surrounding Trott highlighted the lack of understanding of the issue and perhaps indicated why fewer sportsman would publicly acknowledge an issue with mental ill-health.

Additionally with some sports, such as rugby, there is the impression on the pitch from players that they need to be viewed as strong at all times.

When taking part in such a physically demanding game, gaining an advantage over your opponent might come down to not allowing your opposition to be aware of any potential issue, whether physical or mental. Naturally this would make it harder for athletes to then speak out if they are suffering from a problem.

The Charter attempts to build a framework in which athletes can feel comfortable in coming forward to a relevant person to discuss an issue is commendable, although it certainly faces certain challenges.

However as viewers of sport we need to take upon more responsibility and have a greater understanding of the issues potentially surrounding elite level sportsmen and women.

The pressure now on young people entering the elite world of sport is perhaps greater than ever before. Whether that is the attempt earn a professional contract, achieve a place on an Olympic team or strive for a gold medal.

For instance, a young professional footballer is often viewed as having a relaxed and luxurious lifestyle. However there is little appreciation of the fact that they are likely to be subjected to abuse from opposition supporters, however in the age of social media, they can now find themselves the victims of abuse online.

For many Olympic athletes as the clock ticks past the 500 days until Rio the pressure will crank up an extra notch as what they have been building towards for most of their lives gets ever closer. With the pressure to perform at an early stage, it is entirely understandable that an athlete is likely to suffer.

While the pressure on athletes during their career is clear one of the main issues raised at the reception surrounds how to help athletes combat the coming to terms with the end of their career.

It may be an abrupt end to their career, perhaps released by a club at a young age or suffering a career ending injury. However, with many athletes there will be the gradual decline as they grow older. Retirement for an elite sportsman is understandably a traumatic event and naturally could lead to problems.

"At the end of a players career the two years, the transition is crucial," Brendon Batson, executive chairman of the Professional Players Federation, explained.

Referring to a survey of former players Batson claimed that "30 per cent could not really cope with their life [after retirement] and we know that it can lead to mental health issues. Once they leaving playing, due to a lack of a contract or injury, they find it very difficult, it is a real issue that we need to address."

Imagine being a swimmer who has woken in the early hours of the morning for over a decade in an effort to pursue an Olympic dream to suddenly come to the end of their career, potentially with minimal earnings and few career opportunities. It is quite a frightening prospect to consider, but for many it is likely to be a reality.

With research by the Sport and Recreation Alliance stating that one in four people suffer a mental health issue, certainly there needs to be more of an awareness of the issue and the fact that physical activity could help to maintain good mental health.

While the Charter at first glance looked geared towards elite sport, there are clearly benefits for the general public in the wider sporting world talking about the issue of mental health.

Sportsmen and women are often viewed as the healthiest of individuals and seen as invincible, however like the general population, they will have their own issues.

It is worth us bearing this in mind and by having the conversation publicly about mental health issues in sport, awareness of the issue of mental health can both be raised and the stigma surrounding it can continue to be alleviated.

When I first started interviewing sportspeople, I was advised that I should remember that they are in fact just an ordinary human being. And the same idea needs to be viewed with regard to mental health. Anyone can suffer, be it a journalist, as sportsman or the Deputy Prime Minister.

This blog was first published at www.insidethegames.biz

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