May 8, 2017
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we are delighted to announce that we have signed up to the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation to confirm our commitment to raising awareness about mental health issues.
Richard Johnston, Active Cumbria’s Senior Manager (Operations) said:
“Physical activity and sport is a great way to improve physical fitness, boost confidence, improve social networks - reducing loneliness and isolation as well as helping combat low mood.
At the same time, mental ill health provides an obstacle to taking part; when you’re feeling down or genuinely not well due to mental ill health people lack confidence, energy and the desire to do anything.
As a county sports partnership we are tasked by Sport England to encourage people to be active; to do this, we must recognise the needs of people with mental health problems and make opportunities easy, welcoming and accessible. We have met many people who have undertaken amazing challenges to beat off the blues, but recognise that making that first step isn’t easy”
Colin Cox, Director of Public Health at Cumbria County Council said:
“Physical activity can boost mental wellbeing and help reduce social isolation, a risk factor for depression. The link between physical activity and depression is well established.
I am delighted to see that Active Cumbria has taken this opportunity to sign up to the Charter and re-confirm their commitment”
The Charter outlines six actions that the sports and physical activity sector can take to help make mental health commonly understood and to help those in need. The actions are to:
For more information about the charter see the Sport & Recreation Alliance website.
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place between 8th - 14th May. The theme is thriving or surviving.