Increasing mental health support for rugby community
Mental health has been hugely impacted by the global pandemic, and as the country emerges from lockdown never has the significance of Mental Health Awareness Week been greater, or the ability to recognise that someone is struggling more important.
England Rugby and health care partner Simplyhealth have developed a dedicated RugbySafe mental health resource for clubs, researched and prepared by the Mental Health Foundation, which provides advice, tools and guidance to help equip rugby communities to spot signs of anxiety and depression and direct members towards professionals if needed.
Part of the ethos of rugby is to look out for each other. Whether you’re a coach, player or supporter it’s important to keep an eye on those around you and if you see someone struggling, don’t be afraid to say something and offer support"
Eddie Jones
The resource complements a series of mental health Q&As for players and volunteers during lockdown. As part of the RFU’s RugbySafe player welfare programme, Simplyhealth ambassadors Dylan Hartley and David Beeney, founder of Breaking the Silence, have shared personal experiences and suggestions on how to create open environments where teammates feel comfortable to talk and ask for help.
Stats & Facts
- One adult in six has a common mental health problem.
- Three times as many men as women die by suicide.
- Physical exercise can be very effective in relieving stress.
- Highly active individuals tend to have lower stress rates.
- Mental health problems affect one in eight children & young people.
- In 2019/20 - 55% of all working days lost were due to work-related ill health.
- Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 51% of those ill health cases.
Talking about mental health
Here's eight tips on how to talk to someone about their mental health.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, England Rugby highlighted the integral role already played by rugby clubs across the country in supporting their communities.
The hope is that the stigma around talking about mental health and the resulting risks are being reduced by training in spotting the signs and a readiness to step in and offer help.
Resources
Click on the below links for advice on mental health and wellbeing:
- Spotting the signs
- Having a conversation
- Creating a kinder culture
- Where can you get help?
- What are we talking about?
"I am impressed by the progress that we as a sport and a society have made in removing the stigma around talking about mental health," said RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney. "We have still got a long way to go but so many of our clubs have embraced mental health awareness and support that I am optimistic about the future.
"We often talk of the rugby family and the best families are always willing to listen and to help in challenging times. Many of us have been touched by tragedies which might have been avoided had we known and understood more - that knowledge and understanding is something that our sport is well placed to provide.
"We are a team sport and a sporting community, and I am most grateful to all of our clubs and Constituent Bodies who are working to improve the mental wellbeing of their players and members and keep those in the rugby family safe. We are very glad to have our partner Simplyhealth’s support in creating this excellent wellbeing resource for our rugby community."
