BWL is committed to using our sport to promote good mental health and wellbeing

Mental Health Awareness: Resources

Wellbeing resources for coaches - from UK Coaching
Young Minds – information and sign-posting to mental health support for young people and parents
Sport and physical activity for people with mental health problems: a toolkit for the sports sector – from Mind
IOC Health Body Image Campaign – The International Olympic Committee have released a video series called ‘Hungry for Gold’ offering guidance on healthy body image for athletes

You can find more resources at the bottom of this page.

Sport and Recreation Alliance's Mental Health Charter

The Charter sets out how sport and recreation organisations should adopt good mental health practice to make activities inclusive, positive and open to everyone. As part of this commitment, BWL is committed to:

Using our sport to promote good mental health and wellbeing
Adopting good mental health policies and best practices
Appointing ambassadors and role models
Tackling discrimination on the grounds of mental health
Supporting a pan-sport platform to develop and share resources and best practice
Throughout all of this we should regularly monitor our performance

Lifting and Wellbeing

Research suggests there are five ways we can all improve our wellbeing, why not give them a try?

1. Connect

Connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Why not lift with other people, whether it is a training session or club session, even saying hello to a fellow gym goer. It can all help your mental wellbeing.

2. Be active

Being active makes you feel good, and regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups. Weightlifting at any intensity will have beneficial effects on your mental wellbeing, not to mention the obvious physical benefits like improving your strength.

3. Keep Learning

Learning new skills or improving current skills can give you a great sense of achievement and confidence. Make time to try something new, rediscover an old interest or set a challenge you’ll enjoy. Make your goals realistic for your training, you don’t have to lift hundreds of kilos or a personal best every time. How about aiming to hit a lift consecutively?

4. Give to Others

Even the smallest act can count, whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word of encouragement to fellow lifters. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local weightlifting club or at a competition at any level can be extremely rewarding.

5. Be Mindful

Try to be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness ‘mindfulness’. Getting in the gym and weightlifting whilst concentrating on that moment can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

What if I need support?

If you don't feel you can keep yourself safe right now, seek immediate help:

Go to any Accident & Emergency (A&E) department
Call 999 and ask for an ambulance to take you to A&E
Ask someone else to call 999 for you or take you to A&E
If you need urgent support but don't want to go to A&E, you could call Samaritans on freephone 116 123- they are always open and are there to listen
Contact your GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment
Contact NHS 111 (England) or NHS Direct 0845 46 47 (Wales)
Contact your local crisis team (CRHT), if you're under their care

MIND have lots of useful information. For further information on what to do if you need help, please visit the Mind website by click here

If you want to help someone else, please click here to visit Mind’s advice

You can also access mental health awareness training for the sport and physical activity sector at MIND elearning

Looking after your mental health and well-being during COVID-19

Find government advice on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak along with helpful contacts and websites here

Useful Resources

NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit Resources

Addressing self-harming behaviour – CPSU briefing paper
Addressing suicidal thoughts and feelings – CPSU briefing paper
Eating disorders and disordered eating – CPSU webinar
Sample mental wellbeing statement – CPSU sample statement

Support and resources for coaches, staff and volunteers

NSPCC Learning - Child mental health
NSPCC helpline tel: 0808 800 5000 – if you’re worried about a child, even if you're unsure, contact the NSPCC’s professional counsellors for help, advice and support
Everglow Health and Wellbeing - Breaking the stigma around mental health
International Olympic Committee guidance on healthy body image – Hungry for gold videos
Sport Northern Ireland - Inspire Sports Hub: wellbeing in sport
Sport & Recreation Alliance with the support of Mind - Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation
Mind Regional Networks – bringing together organisations from across the sport, physical activity and mental health sectors
Mind - Sport, physical activity and mental health
Mind - Sport and physical activity for people with mental health problems: a toolkit for the sports sector
Mind - Taking care of yourself
Mind with UK Coaching and Public Health England - Tips for coaches video
UK Coaching - Wellbeing resources for coaches

Mental health awareness training

UK Coaching, Mind, 1^st4Sport and Sport England - Mental health awareness for sport and physical activity.
Rethink mental health training
Zero Suicide Alliance – free suicide prevention training

Support services for children and young people

Childline: tel: 0800 1111 – information and support line for young people
Samaritans: tel: 116 123 – 24-hour confidential listening and support for anyone who needs it
Shout: text 'Shout' to 85258 – a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help
The Mix: tel: 0808 808 4994 – information, support and listening line (24 hours) for people under 25
Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) – information for young people
Mind – Information for young people
State of Mind Sport – support for athletes, and advice on taking care of your mental wellbeing
Young Minds – information and sign-posting to mental health support for young people and parents