State of Mind Gets Running in Leeds
Published on: 12th September 2011
The death of Terry Newton in September 2010 shook the world of Rugby League from the terraces to the top flight of the Sport. To help raise awareness of mental wellbeing and the effects it can have on an individual who may think they have no other option but to take their own life, professionals and others who support rugby league have developed an initiative called State of Mind with the backing of the Rugby Football League (RFL).
Round 27 of the Super League (Friday 9th – Sunday 11th September) has seen the world of Rugby League unite for State of Mind; with players, coaches, back office staff, fans and their friends and family coming together to support the initiative. Fixtures across the UK during Round 27 will be branded as State of Mind, holding a variety of events, promoting the issues of mental health and highlighting other avenues of support if someone wants help with the stresses in their life.
Rob Oates, Commercial Director at Leeds Rhinos said: “we are totally supportive of this and hope that it helps remove the stigma association with this illness, let?s hope that this is the start of an annual RL wide initiative.”
Ernie Benbow, Co-founder and Programme Manager, State of Mind said: “Following the loss of Terry Newton, many within the Rugby community wanted to do something to tackle the issues of mental wellbeing for both our players and our supporters. Men are three times more likely to take their own lives and it is vital that we open the conversation of mental wellbeing up to everyone involved in the Sport. Rugby players are big men, with big shoulders, but even they can?t carry the pressures of the world on their own.”
Care Services Minister, Paul Burstow said: "In a challenging game like rugby league, it must be really important that the players keep themselves in peak condition - mind as well as body.
The State of Mind initiative is a brilliant way of raising the profile of mental health issues among players and supporters of rugby league alike. "I hope that this campaign will help break down the stigma that is often attached to mental health problems and make it easier for rugby players and fans to get the help they need. One in four of us will have a mental health problem at some point - we all need to know where to go to get the right help, instead of suffering in silence.
"It's inspiring that such a fantastic campaign has come from the tragedy of Terry Newton's death. I hope it has every success."
The State of Mind Campaign has four key elements: a programme of Educational Awareness Sessions for clubs to assist in understanding the issues, a training resource DVD where Super League players talk about their own experiences both on and off the pitch. A State of Mind website has been developed which can be used by the Rugby fans and friends to find out where to get help when it is needed. What?s more, key influential staff in the Super League will be given Mental Health First Aid Training to help identify the signs of someone struggling to deal with stress amongst the people they work with, their friends and their family. The training will also provide the skills to allow these members of staff to respond appropriately and know where to refer for support.
Leeds Rhinos are working together with Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University in preparation for the launch of the State of Mind campaign in Round 27. Players will be sporting the State of Mind t-shirts in the training session before the match on Sunday. This work will progress next year with involvement activities at Leeds Rhinos matches to engage with players and fans.
You can follow State of Mind on Twitter @StateofMind2011 and find us on Facebook with „State of Mind?
You can watch the trailer for the State of Mind video here: http://youtu.be/inlsKr-3NH8
