Mental health, women and physical activity Hayley Jarvis, Community programmes manager (Sport)
Overview of the session An understanding of the prevalence of mental health problems experienced by women including an overview of the most common types of mental health problems the role of physical activity in the prevention and management of mental health problems. identify the barriers to being active for women with mental health problems and considerations that need to be made to provide inclusive sessions how to adapt marketing and promotional materials to attract women with mental health problems to sessions where to find further information about mental health problems and the role of sport and physical activity
Our vision: Sport and physical activity is actively used to build resilience, to enable and support mental health recovery and to tackle stigma.
Definition of mental health Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Source: World Health Organisation (2014)
Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing describes your mental state how you are feeling and how well you can cope with day-to-day life. Our mental wellbeing can change, from day to day, month to month or year to year, you may: feel relatively confident in yourself you value and accept yourself and judge yourself on realistic and reasonable standards feel and express a range of emotions feel engaged with the world around you you can build and maintain positive relationships with other people and feel you can contribute to the community you live in live and work productively cope with the stresses of daily life and manage times of change and uncertainty.
Activity: Fact or Fiction?
1 in 4 adults will experience a mental health problem in any one year. Source: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, England (2007) 9 of 10 people experience stigma. Source: Time to Change (2008) On average, in the UK, 17 people take their own lives each day. Source: ONS: Suicides in the United Kingdom Registrations (2013) 1 in 3 visits to the GP are mental health related. Source: NHS England blog (2013) 1 million prescriptions for antidepressants are issued each week. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre (2014).
Spotlight on women! Women are more likely than men to have a common mental health problem and are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Source: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, England (2007), Cambridge University (2016) In 2013, 6,233 suicides were recorded in the UK for people aged 15 and older. Of these, 78% were male and 22% were female. Source: ONS: Suicides in the United Kingdom Registrations (2013) 10% of mothers and 6% of fathers in the UK have mental health problems at any given time. Source : Technical Report for SCIE Research Review on the Prevalence and Incidence of Parental Mental Health Problems and the Detection (2008)
Most common mental health problems experienced by women Bi-polar disorder Depression Women Anxiety Perinatal mental health refers to the emotional, psychological and social aspects of health during the time from preconception up until two years post birth. This period is the highest risk time for women to develop mental health problems with a varying range of severity and impact upon functioning. Eating Disorders OCD www.mind.org.uk
Silence around issue Scared to reveal problem Lack of knowledge Those with MHPs Stigma Wider society Increases perception of stigma Scared to raise the issue Silence around issue Source: Time to Change
#smallthings You don t need to be an expert! Everyone's experience of a particular diagnosis will be different Don t be afraid Don t make assumptions Listen Take time and be patient https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfpvtthkmic
Why physical activity is especially important for those of us with mental health problems Those of us with a mental health problem are: twice as likely to die from heart disease four times as likely to die from respiratory disease on average, likely to die between 10 and 17 years earlier than the general population, if we have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
Interplay between physical and mental health Physical activity has many positive benefits on mental health. Reduced risk of depression Increased confidence / self-esteem Reduced anxiety and happier moods release of endorphins Reduced feelings of stress better balance of cortisol levels Clearer thinking breaking up racing thoughts Better quality of sleep
What health experts say A primary intervention for mild-to-moderate depression Effective in sessions of 45 minutes to 1 hour Recommended frequency of three sessions a week over a 10 14 week period Source: NICE. Depression in adults: The treatment and management of depression in adults
Outcomes Mental health The support and encouragement you have provided to help me back into exercise has been invaluable. I feel so much more hopeful and much better in myself! And I m really enjoying my new exercise routine! I never thought I d be able to do this again, and wouldn t have done so without Get Set To Go support so, THANK YOU! Physical health I m starting to feel more flexible which has helped my arthritis, now I have more stamina to exercise longer. My high blood pressure is also starting to lower. I love boxing so much I have signed up to a Crisis boxing session
Outcomes Individual development I've always loved football but never had the confidence to join a team, I went along to the training session full of anxiety but it was fantastic. They made me welcome and encouraged me, even though I was extremely unfit and not much kop. I've lost weight and got fitter and even scored my first ever goal 25 years after getting left out of the school team. My proudest possessions are now my football boots and the medals I've won. I can't begin to explain how this has helped my confidence and self-esteem Economic development Social /community development Cohesive communities working with homelessness, addiction, BME, LGBT, community sports and physical activity providers, health 1 participant has secured part-time employment
What are we up against?
Activity: barriers and enablers - Physical barriers For example: Travelling to venues or effects of medication Psychological barriers For example: Anxious in new situations or difficulties with decision making Technical barriers For example: Lack understanding of rules or how to play Social For example: Difficult to make new friends or lack selfesteem
Barriers to getting started 70% of people with mental health problem told us having a MH problem made it more difficult to take part in sport or physical activity. More than half (55 per cent) said they are not gym body ready, saying they are not members of sports clubs, gyms or leisure centres, because they are embarrassed about their body shape or size. Nearly two thirds worry about taking part by themselves A third of respondents with memberships to sports clubs, gyms and leisure centres concede they would not want anybody to know about their mental health problem
Supported by sports coach UK Mental health awareness for sport and physical activity 3 hour CPD course
How to adapt marketing and promotional materials to attract women with mental health problems to sessions
National communications We have reached over 4 million people through our campaigns so far To date we have developed: Physical activity, sport and mental health booklet and online resources Blogs and case studies Get Set to Go plan and resources to support local delivery
www.getsettogo.mind.org.uk
Using EAST to consider your approach make it Easy make sure it fits into my life reduce the hassle factor of the experience simplify messages - tell me everything I know to get started including what to wear and what to bring - think about small adaptations to make it easier for me to join in make it Social use the power of social networks and norms deliver in a place that s within my normal boundaries encourage people to make a commitment to others make it Attractive attract attention make it relevant and appealing to me incentivise me to start and reward me afterwards - work with partners that I trust - make the marketing appealing to me - beginners, everyone welcome, mental wellbeing make it Timely prompt me when I m likely to be most receptive promote the immediate benefits help me plan my actions - help me overcome barriers by small group work - offer post work out tea and chat - social media may support but may cause anxiety for some - consider time of day, mornings may not work for me due to side effects of medication/problems with sleep - the episodic nature of my mental health problems means I may not turn up for a few weeks - help celebrate small achievements e.g. turning up each week, xx number of minutes/repetitions
Online peer support from our Elefriends community Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. We all know what it's like to struggle sometimes, and this is a safe place to listen, share and be heard. Our "Being active" theme helps community members easily share and find content about being active, to motivate, inspire and support each other. www.elefriends.org.uk To find out more about Elefriends click here to watch our first animation
Summary Authentic lived experience at the heart of the work Create the right environment Varied with opportunities tailored to individual needs Local sessions in the heart of community Structure and hope Provide non-competitive and competitive opportunities Encourage participants to set their own goals Social and fun aspect Work in partnership to get more people with mental health problems active
Support available
What are the common signs of poor mental health? Confusion Disordered thoughts Feeling out of control Panic attack Talk of self-harm
Support from Mind Infoline 0300 123 3393 (weekdays 9am - 6pm) info@mind.org.uk Website www.mind.org.uk Local Mind http://shop.mind.org.uk/help/mind_in_your_area
Support for someone in crisis GP or other health professional Samaritans 0845 790 9090 (24-hour helpline) Samaritans.org 999 Specialist or local support e.g. CALM or Nightline
In summary No-one expects you to be mental health experts Local support National support What already works? Celebrate and replicate best practice What else can you do? How can you support each other? Your own mental health is just as important. Look after it! We are here to support you!
Find out more. Contact us: Visit: sport@mind.org.uk www.mind.org.uk/sport Speak to Fiona about attending Mind regional networking event for the East 28 th June here in Herts! Follow the conversation @MindCharity #GetSetToGo