Mental health and physical health have a bidirectional relationship, which means they both can affect each other positively and negatively. So if you are not healthy physically, you are more prone to mental health issues. The same is true for the opposite if you have poor mental health, your physical health can be affected negatively. With this in mind, the independent England based mental health sports charity Sport in Mind uses physical activity in a fun, supportive environment to help those struggling with their mental health. The physical activity you can do in each session can vary from sports to gardening, but all equipment needed is provided.
Sport in Mind has helped thousands of people, sporty people and those who do/did not like sports. Due to this, they believe everyone has a sport or physical activity that they will enjoy. This belief has made Sport in Mind’s aim to ensure everyone in the UK has the opportunity to do a physical activity session they enjoy and, through that session, improve their mental health.
Sport in Mind’s History
Neil Harris is the founder of Sport in Mind. He founded it after seeing the positive effect regular physical activity had on mental health. After, he aided his childhood friend who was having problems with his mental health by devising a physical activity programme.
Neil devised the physical activity programme to help his childhood friend Jamie’s recovery in 2009. However, at the time, he did not realise that this would go to inspire a charity that he would create, which helps thousands of people struggling with their mental health.
Neil Haris decided to create Sport in Mind in 2010, driven by his success in helping his childhood friend recover using his programme. He started Sport in Mind intending to help those experiencing mental health problems in the town of Reading in Berkshire by providing accessible sport and physical activity opportunities. However, the charity grew and has now delivered thousands of sessions across the South of England, supporting over 15,000 people’s recovery.
Sport in Mind’s work in the communities they operated in had been so impactful that it gained national acclaim. In 2019 they received the highest honour the Queen can bestow on a UK charity, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services.
How can being active affect your mental health?
Whether it be doing a sport or physical activity, being active causes a release of chemicals in your brain, makes you feel good, boosts your self-esteem, and helps you sleep and concentrate. You don’t need to run marathons or get an expensive gym membership to be active. Finding an activity you enjoy doing is good as it can give a goal to aim and a sense of purpose. Some of the mental health benefits of being active are:
- less tension, stress and mental fatigue
- a natural energy boost
- a sense of achievement
- more motivation
- feeling less angry or frustrated
- having a healthy appetite
How does Sport in Mind help?
Sport in Mind’s programmes are delivered in partnership with the NHS and are co-designed by people who have personally experienced problems with their mental health and healthcare professionals. They offer sessions to aid the recovery of those living with mental health problems in their communities. Sport in Mind also extends its help to those in inpatient care because they believe that irrespective of how unwell someone is, they should have the opportunity to participate in a sport or physical activity.
The Sessions provided can be beneficial to your mental health in the same ways being active can. Still, there are extra benefits if you go to the sessions instead of doing physical activity alone. Some of the extra benefits include:
- Being able to meet and develop a relationship like friendships with new people who are also having issues with their mental health and support each other.
- Trying activities you otherwise wouldn’t due to the cost of equipment needed.
- Being in a safe, fun and supportive community and environment.
Details on and how to join Sport in Mind’s sessions
There are sessions for adults and young people that are separated, so only people in the same age group are together.
Those 17 or under 17 are in the child or young people programme and sessions. While those over the age of 17 are in the adult programme and sessions.
Young people are referred or invited to sessions they can do out of school time to be active and have fun with others in a relaxed, supportive, friendly environment.
Sport in Mind tries its best to keep sessions accessible to all, so they are free or cost 1£ to 2£. And despite how inexpensive that is, they also provide all the equipment you may need for the activity and the venue. Their staff will also meet you outside the venue if you need help to get in, but they will try to use accessible venues that you can both get to and with ease. They recommend that you wear comfortable clothing for the sessions.
To join a session, you need to go to their website and download, print, and fill out their participant form fr the first time you attend. Most of their sessions are in the South of England, but you can see where sessions are on their activity map.
The first at a Sport in Mind session
Sport in Mind knows turning up to the first session may seem like a big hurdle. Still, they guarantee a friendly and understanding reception. They also say that Once you have made it a few times, you will likely feel a significant boost to your confidence, knowing you can try new things.
Sport in Mind encourages you to be yourself and says everyone there understands how your mental health can affect you, and they won’t judge. As you get to know people, they will offer peer support and their perspectives.
Sport in Mind is not a part of the Mind network and is an independent charity.
This charity does not offer any services for those who need urgent help. So if you need immediate help, contact either the emergency services on 999.