State of Mind Rolls Out Amateur Program

6th November 2012

State of Mind Rolls Out Amateur Programme

The groundbreaking mental health awareness campaign, State of Mind, is to begin rolling out the newly created State of Mind Amateur Programme. The programme has been specially designed to engage with amateur clubs, and follows the hugely successful work completed with the sport’s top flight.

The session will be delivered by State of Mind Co-Founder, Phil Cooper alongside Rugby League Legends Paul Sculthorpe and Jimmy Gittins, 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.”

Stuart Duffy, Bradford Bulls Player Welfare Officer said:

“The State of Mind is one of the most innovative ideas that Rugby League has initiated. Mental Health issues can affect anyone at anytime and Rugby Players can now rest assured that they have a body to whom they can turn to for assistance and well being when they need it.”

Topics the session will cover:

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

Here is a link to the trailer for State of Mind’s new campaign film – still currently in post production: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHLGfX1B0ok&feature=youtu.be