Mental Health in Student Sport Nicholas Klein Campaigns & Communications Officer Student Minds
Student Minds Set up in 2009 (SRSH) Working to encourage peer interventions for student mental health. National network of student-led peer support groups and campaign groups
The state of student mental health: Understanding the landscape and the grand challenges.
Social circumstances: The Student Journey Social circumstances: The Student Journey Image from NUS Think Positive
In 200 students 5 depression, 10 anxiety, 20 mixed anxiety/depression, 2 OCD, 3 eating disorders, 4 psychosis, 4 bipolar The Health & Social Care Information Centre, 2009, Adult psychiatric morbidity in England, Results of a household survey Perala et al (2007) Lifetime prevalence of psychotic and bipolar I disorders in a general population Archives of general psychiatry, 64:19-28
Prevalence 49% of young people (17-30) enter HE and the age of onset of many difficulties overlaps with the student years. 1 in 4 adults experience mental health difficulties at some point during their lifetime, and 1 in 6 experience symptoms at any one time. 29% of students experience clinical levels of psychological distress (Bewick et al.) But disclosure rates are low University vs Friend
The Landscape University staff, accomodation etc Peer - led HUCS Heads of University Counselling Services Counselling Service Student Services Mental Health Advisor Disability Service NHS University GP Surgery Specialist NHS services
Student Minds and BUCS collaboration
Why mental health and sport? 52% of HE students take part in sport at least once a week. Taking part in sport has mental health and social benefits. Particularly in competitive HE sport, greater access to staff and student support.
Key challenges for university staff in 2015 Lack of mental health training Staff do not feel confident of how to respond to mental distress Role and responsibilities of staff working in this area is not clear Vital to ensure sustainability of anything put in place Supporting student committees Providing student committees with appropriate guidance
Discussion Sporting opportunities to tackle mental health issues.
Student Minds and BUCS Develop a trainer mental health programme for HE sport staff. Mental Health First Aid training. Understanding mental health landscape. Develop an interactive workshop for sports teams. Distributed by HE sport staff. Equip students to: Identify if a team member is struggling Respond appropriately to provide support/signposting Manage some of the stresses that accompany playing competitive sport. Produce supplementary guidance document.
Promising training statistics 16 trainers. 9 institutions. Sport staff said: 83% increase in knowledge of best practice in supporting mental health within HE sport. "The trainer was brilliant and answered all questions whilst also making us feel very comfortable throughout the course. The course content was all relevant and useful... referred to student life in all examples making it easy to relate to. Students said: 58% increase in knowledge of mental health support available at university. 48% increase in knowledge of how to support a team mate.
New training dates 21 st -22 nd March Royal Holloway, Surrey 31 st March-1 st April Oxford 23 rd -24 th June Northumbria, Newcastle 2-day Train-the-Trainer course. MHFA. Student workshop. 290 (plus 10 annual registration fee). Training course. Ongoing support. Content regularly evaluated. Register your place after this session.
Other work around mental health and sport Mind Mental Health in Elite Sport How can sport associations better support the mental health of professional sportspeople? University of Nottingham Welfare in Sport Reduce barriers preventing people from participating in sport, increase awareness of the benefits of sport, and support athletes experiencing difficulties while participating in sports programmes.
Welfare in Sport https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdpbgr7v2ce
website: www.studentminds.org.uk/sports-training email: hello@studentminds.org.uk facebook: /studentminds.org.uk twitter: @StudentMindsOrg