How sports can improve mental wellbeing

According to statistics by Mind.org, around one in four people will experience a mental health problem of some kind, every year, in England.

One in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week in England.

But approximately only one in four adults with a common mental health problem are currently getting treatment in the form of talking therapies, medication, or both.

Studies have suggested that sport could have an impact on mental wellbeing, with many people believing being active and engaging in sport activities could benefit their mental health.

Of a survey conducted on sports and mental wellbeing, 46% of respondents described seeking out help for mental health as difficult.

Some 69% of the participants said a sports events aimed at improving mental wellbeing would be very helpful, with 23% saying it would be extremely helpful.

A total of 54% of respondents said they probably would take part in local sports events aimed at improving their mental wellbeing, with 15% saying they definitely would.

These results refer to a gap in mental wellbeing services which local sports initiatives such as Talking Cherries and other community organisations can fill.

Talking Cherries is an organisation created by AFC Bournemouth fans to provide a safe and welcoming space for people to discuss their mental health.

The creation of the group came in 2019 after the loss of a fan who took their own life.

Since then, the group has been dedicated to prevent this happening in the future, so encourage the talk on mental health using a common love of football.

The founder, Simon Kay, spoke on the programme, saying: “One thing that’s very powerful about football is you get a lot of camaraderie and you talk about a lot of things.

You could be at a match or sat next to someone talking about things you wouldn’t talk to your mum or your sister or your brother about.”

Mental health is such an important topic, with more light being shone on it in recent years, and with the growth of initiatives such as Talking Cherries more can be done to help those struggling.