Groundbreaking Campaign Tackles Mental Health Stigma Among Youth Athletes Ahead of World Mental Health Day

A family of competitive swimmers:- Andrea, Jack, and India Brown, have launched an innovative campaign ahead of World Mental Health Day on:- Tuesday, 10 October 2023, to address the mental health crisis among youth athletes. The campaign focuses on raising awareness and eradicating the stigma associated with mental health issues in sports, with the goal of contributing to a more inclusive and understanding sporting community. Although it started with swimming, the campaign is also winning support from:- football, tennis and rugby organizations.

The Brown's campaign was born out of concern for the high levels of stress and pressure young athletes face. According to Forensic Psychiatrist Kike Anunobi, young athletes can experience up to 600 times more stressors than their adult counterparts. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for intervention and support.

The campaign's key components include:- an educational documentary available on:- YouTube, an eBook, pop up banner and free mental health 1st aid courses. These resources are designed to provide young athletes, their families, and sports clubs with the tools and knowledge necessary to foster mental well being.

Andrea Brown, the campaign's co-founder, stated:- "People often don't understand what counts as a mental health issue. Crippling anxiety and throwing up become patterns and patterns can be changed. Many are afraid to speak up for fear of being judged or getting it wrong. Through this campaign, we want to create an environment where clubs and parents know how to talk about mental health and young athletes feel supported."

Jack Brown, who won 3 gold medals at the National Summer Championships said:- "I put a lot of work into my mental health before Nationals. I worked with my Sports Performance Psychologist Robin at Mind Frame Performance, an ex swimmer, and it definitely helped. My body was prepared physically and I was in control of my thoughts."

The documentary features personal stories and insights from Olympic swimmers Jemma Jarvis and Edward Sinclair, psychiatrists, safeguarding consultants, and welfare officers. It aims to ask hard questions and shed light on the mental health challenges faced by young athletes. The documentary is available in a series of episodes, which can be accessed online.

To celebrate World Mental Health Day, on 10 October 2023, the campaign is releasing a new banner template and funding the 1st 10 banners to be placed in the UK's:- Leisure Centres, Schools and Sports Clubs.

Andrea Brown added:- "Saying it once is not enough. Young people need a visible reminder of support that says:- 'We care. Talk to us.' Organisations can download the free banner artwork here or post what they are doing to support mental health on any social media platform for a chance to win a free banner. The campaign has already garnered significant local and international attention. The family hopes that the campaign encourages people to explore solutions from speaking up at clubs to sports psychology and mental 1st aid courses for. "Sport should always be fun. As soon as it isn't any more, it's time to ask why and look for help."

For more information or to get involved, please contact Andrea Brown:- Andrea73Brown@GMail.Com.

More than 37,000 people set to benefit from 20 community safety projects, thanks to PCC's new fund

MORE than 37,000 people across Merseyside are set to benefit from 20 projects funded by the Region's Police Commissioner to help increase safety and boost community spirit in their areas.

A community café for older people, a horticultural project for young people and a host of projects focused on tackling anti social behaviour are all among the initiatives which have been awarded grants from Emily Spurrell's new Neighbourhood Resilience Fund.

Neighbourhood groups are also set to use the funding to improve a shared garden, install CCTV, run classes for young people and hold sessions to increase community cohesion.

The Commissioner launched the Fund in June to help foster and maintain more resilient, safe, and caring communities across Merseyside.

It is designed to give community groups across Merseyside a small, but vital cash boost to work with local Police teams to solve problems in their area, and protect their neighbourhoods, while encouraging residents to be alert and aware of issues.

Among the organisations receiving funding are Onward Homes who have received a grant to provide 2 community hubs in areas which have been blighted by ASB. The events in Beechwood, on the Wirral, and on the border between:- North Liverpool and Knowsley, will provide a safe space for residents to discuss their concerns with the police and other partners.

Also, among the recipients are Maghull Town Council who will use the funding to create a Youth Council to increase understanding of what provision young people would like to see in the town and support the development of a volunteering scheme.

Several other organisations, including Rawden Residents Associations, Liscard Community Links and Team Oasis, will also use their grants to help transform and improve their spaces and create community gardens.

Funding will be used by the Fazakerley Federation to hold a weekly breakfast morning, while Age UK Wirral will put the money towards creating a community café in West Kirkby.

The launch of the Neighbourhood Resilience Fund is a key way the PCC is delivering on her priority of Supporting Victims and building Safer Communities.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "Merseyside is full of communities that care. We benefit from having lots of brilliant community organisations which are working hard to make their areas safer, more resilient, and better connected. I launched my Neighbourhood Resilience to help support their efforts and empower local people to take action. From creating new communal spaces and green places to community cafes, breakfast clubs, improved CCTV and events to improve cohesion, there were some fantastic projects put forward. Whether it's enabling a grassroots group to kickstart a new project or improve and expand their existing work, these grants are all designed to cultivate local resilience and security, whilst offering reassurance to the most vulnerable people living in their areas and boosting community spirit. I can't to see the impact they have over the coming months and years."

Groups applying to the funded needed to show how their project would prevent crime, increase community safety and cohesion, improve the environment or wellbeing of their community, make their roads safer, engage young people or build and enhance local networks.

To be successful, groups needed to be constituted with a governance structure and terms of reference.