
Mental Health Awareness Week 2020
Written By SPFL Trust Media Centre
This is a Mental health Awareness Week with added importance, pressures, in unprecedented circumstances.
Many of us are worried about coronavirus and how this will affect us and our loved ones.
Current studies show that one in four adults will experience mental health problems in their life and the majority of people do not know how to respond to someone suffering with poor mental health. The world of football is no different.
With suicide being the biggest killer of men under forty, it is vital that a male-dominated professional sport like football, does all it can to address the issue.
In partnership with NHS Scotland, Chris Mitchell Foundation, and Positive Mental Health Scotland, we are proud to have created a bespoke SPFL Trust Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA) course which focuses on case studies and experiences commonly found in a football environment. This two-day course is delivered by a qualified professional with extensive experience working in both the football and mental health area. The courses are free and open to all staff working within football. Find out more here.
We have been speaking to Mark Fleming, who is a director and trainer with Positive Mental Health Scotland, and helps to deliver the courses.
Mark has expressed how important mental health is at this challenging time: “The key factors around poor mental health are a lack of connection, a lack of purpose, and a lack of focus. This makes right now even more challenging as we are isolated from our friends, colleagues and in some cases family.
“It is possible to work on these things from the confines of our own home. The starting point is implementing a healthy routine. Included within that would be regular exercise, a healthy and balanced nutritional diet and good sleep hygiene. Make sure you spend time doing what you enjoy and can have a laugh at. Always have something to focus on and something to look forward to. All of us can find a purpose during this challenging time.”
Given the nature of these courses they cannot currently take place, but Mark has some advice.
“We obviously can’t run the mental health first aid training courses right now, but I would encourage everyone and anyone to find out more,” he said.
It is geared towards helping people to spot the signs and symptoms of poor mental health and give them the skill-set that will help with the initial response to those indicators.”