Taking positive action around mental health

1 in 4 will experience a mental health problem every year. Yet, it is still something people are worried to talk about or ask for help. This must change and physical activity can play a massive part.

10 YEAR UPDATE

It has been 10 years since the Sport and Recreation Alliance, Mind and the Professional Players Federation launched the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation. We have been looking back at how this kick-started a conversation across the sector and helped break down mental health stigma. From investing in mental health education and dedicated mental health support, to encouraging athletes, staff and spectators to speak out and reach out for support, to using physical activity as a tool to help people live well and stay well. Share your highlights with us at the Linkedin page #SportMinds.

“We have seen astonishing progress in the way mental health is talked about and prioritised in the sport and physical activity sector and we know over the past 10 years, many of our members at the Sport and Recreation Alliance have developed important wellbeing initiatives both alongside and independent of the Mental Health Charter, from Parkour UK to England Athletics. The Alliance is incredibly proud to have worked with Mind and the Professional Players Federation since 2015 to establish and develop the Charter, and all it has help achieve.” Lisa Wainwright MBE , CEO Sport and Recreation Alliance.

"The 2015 Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation started an important shift towards more joined-up mental health support, and driving cultural change within the sport and physical activity sector. The open discussions of athletes like Simone Biles, Ben Stokes, and Adam Peaty have been instrumental in helping to break down stigma. While Mind delivers vital training and advocacy through our partnership with Sport England and The National Lottery, the true transformation is driven by our sector partners and their dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive space where people can maintain their mental wellbeing." - Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO Mind

“The progress on mental health and wellbeing in elite sport over the last ten years has been amazing. It has been a real team effort to normalise conversations around mental health and provide world class support systems for players needing help. The PPF and all our members are proud to have helped establish the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation back in 2015.” – Simon Taylor, CEO Professional Players Federation

 

INFORmation about the Mental Health Charter

We know that being physically active can help mental wellbeing. That's why the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the Professional Players Federation and Mind created the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation.

Since the Charter launched in March 2015, over 470 organisations signed up and committed to its vision: to embed mental health within sport and recreation to create a culture shift that removes the stigma around mental health.

To celebrate the Charter’s seventh anniversary in 2022, we launched the report Seven years of changing culture. The report reviews the impact of the Charter over the last seven years, and highlights the expanding mental health support available to sport and recreation organisations.

Find out more and get the latest updates on the #SportMinds LinkedIn page

Training and Resources

The Charter has been instrumental in advancing mental health in the sport and recreation sector. On the back of the Charter, there is abundance of mental health support and resources to help organisations. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Mind’s Sector Support programme – which includes training, resources, events, webinars, networking opportunities, partnerships, campaigns and bespoke consultancy support on a range of topics from developing mental health strategies and policies to establishing physical activity programmes to support mental health outcomes. To access this support, visit mind.org.uk/sport or contact Mind’s Physical Activity team via sport@mind.org.uk.
  • English Institute for Sport’s mental health team and expert panel – provides advice and guidance on all matters relating to mental health and sports within the UK Sport-funded high-performance system, particularly supporting complex cases and development of strategies, processes, or policies. To access this support, email mentalhealth@eis2win.co.uk.
  • Professional Players Federation’s (PPF) mental health support – the PPF have collated mental health support available to professional sports people provided by Player Associations on their mental health webpage. The PPF also convene regular mental health working groups to develop new initiatives and share good practice amongst Player Associations.
  • Workplace wellbeing support for staff mental health – there are a range of resources available including Mind’s Workplace wellbeing training, resources and consultancyThriving at Work a guide for the sport sector and the Mental Health at Work sport toolkit.

Case Studies

We want to share what positive action our signatories are taking around mental health so we asked them to let us post some case studies:

Active Oxfordshire

Grantham Tennis Club

League Football Education

League Managers Association

Professional Cricketers' Association

Rugby Players Association

Tyne Metropolitan College - Safe, Fit & Well

England Athletics - RunAndTalk

ukactive and The Mix - Charity of the Year

Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind & British Canoeing - Get Set To Go Canoeing

England Golf – Golf: game for all

English Karate Council – Bob’s story

Everton in the Community

Karate Union Great Britain – World Mental Health Day

Kent County Council

Table Tennis England – What we’ve done so far

Time to Talk Wales – We wear the same shirt

Rounders England - How does rounders help mental wellbeing

StreetGames - Safe, Fit & Well

Small Heath Boxing Club: Mind Fit Campaign

Karate Union of Great Britain: Chelmsford Karate Club

Start Again Project: Healthy Lifestyles programme

Accessible Tennis Community Interest Company: Tennis Recovery Group

In addition, Charter signatories showcased some of the great work that has taken place under the Charter banner. You can read their case studies here.

World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association: Your Cue to Talk

Rugby Players Association: Lift the Weight

Professional Cricketers Association: Mind Matters

Parkour: Freerunning for Mental Health

British Canoeing: Get Set to Go

Amateur Swimming Association: Dementia Friendly Swimming

Active Devon: Wild Things

Become a member

Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!

Register now