The importance of sport and activity as a contribution to good mental health and wellbeing is a given. But through my experience as CEO of the British Athletes Commission – BAC; (now British Elite Athletes Association) and then establishing DOCIAsport I have learnt that if you work in the sport and activity sector ironically unless you are very aware and proactive it can be a challenge to your wellbeing.
When I was at the BAC there was still a huge stigma around poor mental health especially for the athletes who saw talking about (their) poor mental health as a weakness – not a strength. But change is taking place (slowly). The Duty of Care in Sport review led by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson – which I was privileged to work on – has been a force for change and mental health and duty of care is a more integrated part of athlete welfare on the Talent Pathway.
My own experience of mental illness, which led to my resignation from the BAC, made me realise in sport that there was (is) also a need to ‘look after the people looking after the people’ which inspired me to set up DOCIAsport and has set me on a journey. For example, this has led me to UK Coaching, and I have been delighted to help them develop and implement their response to the Duty of Care report and fulfil the promise of their strapline ‘here for the coach.’
My point regarding mental health awareness week is that it is a laudable event, but it has become too crowded. Also, we should all be aware of our mental health every week and what gets me out of bed every day – other than a walk with Fred – is working with others to make a difference.