State of Mind, begins rolling out the newly created amateur programme on 17 October 2012

The groundbreaking mental health awareness campaign, State of Mind that is supported by our Trust begins rolling out the newly created amateur programme on 17th October 2012 at Bamber Bridge ARLFC, near Preston beginning at 7:30pm. The session will be delivered by State of Mind Co-Founder, Phil Cooper alongside Rugby League Legends Paul Sculthorpe, Jimmy Gitinns, former Irish International, Martin Crompton; former Welsh International, Paul Highton and former Warrington Wolves player, Will Stringer.

The State of Mind Amateur Programme launches on the back of a year’s tireless work within the top flight of Rugby League, raising awareness and helping change the culture surrounding mental wellbeing. Since its launch in 2011, State of Mind has delivered mental health awareness sessions to 372 players, coaches and support staff at every club within the top flight of Rugby League. The training was designed specifically for those working within the sport, to learn how to spot and deal with signs that a team mate may be experiencing mental health problems; but also how they can best improve their own mental fitness.

Phil Cooper, Nurse Consultant for 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and Co-Founder of State of Mind said:

“Rugby League is such a family orientated sport that should anyone be unwell, or be dealing with a lot of stress in their lives, the effects are felt by everyone within the community. It was always our intention when State of Mind began to ensure we engaged with every tier of the sport, from the professional top flight, to the amateur leagues, to begin changing the stigma of mental health and get people from every corner of the community talking.”



Paul Sculthorpe, Saints Legend and State of Mind supporter said:

“So much time and effort is spent by Rugby players of all levels on their physical conditioning, and making sure the body is in peak condition for a game. But all of this work can be for nothing if your head isn’t right or if there’s something niggling at the back of your mind. This may have an impact during those 80 minutes you’re on the pitch, but the effects are felt much longer term once you’re off the field. I am delighted to be joining State of Mind, and help bring out in the open the issues surrounding mental wellbeing to the grass roots of the sport I have dedicated my life to.”

Jimmy Gittins, who was forced to retire from the professional game due to a neck injury, will also be working with State of Mind to deliver the Amateur programme.

Jimmy said:

“Mental wellbeing is not an issue for a small number of people; in one way or another it affects everyone. The challenge is knowing how to spot signs of stress in a friend, family member or team mate, and how best to approach the subject. Also, speaking from experience, it can be terrifying asking for help – and it doesn’t need to be like that. My challenges, my state of mind is unique to me, but I hope that sharing the story of my road to recovery will resonate with the amateur players, and help begin breaking the stigma of mental wellbeing at all levels of the sport.”

Topics the session will cover:

• Promoting mental fitness, alongside physical fitness
• Exploring issues of anxiety
• Depression
• Alcohol and drug misuse

A little about State of Mind…
 

State of Mind, in partnership with the RFL, member clubs, amateur Rugby League clubs, community organisations, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), NHS organisations, academic institutions and other health related organisations, works to:

o Ensure mental health awareness and well-being are priorities for the clubs;
o Raise awareness of the importance of suicide prevention
o Identify and prioritise the mental health issues within Rugby League, and work with our partners to tackle them together.
o Integrate mental wellbeing into the strategic planning and policy of all Rugby League clubs.

Information about Mental Health
 

• Mental health problems can affect up to one in four people at some stage in their lives. Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health issues.
• Suicide rates in Super League catchment areas are higher than the national average.
Main points from the Government’s new Prevention of Suicide Strategy launched in September 2012 relevant to State of Mind:
• Suicide prevention will focus on young and middle aged men, known to be the highest at-risk group of taking their own life.
• Suicide is the single most frequent cause of death amongst males aged between 35 and 49.
• Factors relating to rates of suicide include depression, alcohol and drug misuse, unemployment, relationship problems, low self-esteem and social isolation.
• People in poor socio economic circumstances are most vulnerable to take their own life by suicide. These areas are often found within Rugby League strongholds.
• Critical to helping reducing suicide rates amongst young men is to provide information, relevant to them, as soon as they may need it.
• Partnership working, linking awareness raising campaigns to signpost avenues of help and support, is integral in helping to reduce rates of suicide.
• Venues that are relevant to those needing help are more likely to be approached by those in need. If in crisis, many men will not approach their GP.

Co founders of State of Mind:
 

• Malcolm Rae OBE was formerly the Nursing Officer for Mental Health and Forensic Psychiatry at the Department of Health. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing and a Fellow of the University of Central Lancashire
• Ernie Benbow is the Chief Executive of 1eagu3, an association of professional rugby league players within Rugby League, established in 2011. Ernie is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and former Director of Human Resources in the NHS.
• Phil Cooper is a Registered Mental Health Nurse and Nurse Consultant for the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Phil developed the education awareness sessions delivered to all Super League squads with mental health nurse, Carol Ede. Phil and Carol received the Nursing Standard’s Mental Health Award 2012.

• For more information, to arrange interviews or to request any imagery contact Darren McLeod of Agent Marketing on:
• E: darren@agentmarketing.co.uk
• T: 0151 707 0427
• M: 07920 774 395