Sport In Mind
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Sport in Mind
One in four people experience a mental health problem every year and it
continues to be an issue that people are uncomfortable talking about. Sport
and physical activity has the potential to have a powerful and positive effect
on mental health.
Sport in Mind is the brainchild of Neil
Harris and its origins can be traced to the
simple act of trying to help a childhood
friend, who had become mentally
unwell. In 2009, Neil devised a bespoke
sport and physical activity programme
to help aid his friend Jamie’s recovery.
Little did he realise this would inspire
a charity which would help thousands
of people afflicted by mental illness.
Football Focus Magazine recently caught
up with Neil to find out more.
FF: Could you tell us a little more about
Sport in Mind and what it stands for?
NH: Sport in Mind is an acclaimed
independent charity (unaffiliated to
Mind) that uses sport and physical
activity to help aid the recovery of people
experiencing mental health problems
and combat social isolation.
Our Vision is: A better life for anyone
experiencing mental health problems.
Our Mission is: to improve the lives
of people experiencing mental health
problems through sport and physical
activity.
FF: What was behind the formation of
the Charity?
NH: Sport in Mind was established
in 2010 after a friend of mine from
childhood suffered a breakdown. Jamie
was in a terrible place. His mood was
low, he had become socially isolated and
was reluctant to engage with traditional
mental health services. Sport was my
passion and I believed the best way to
help improve my friend’s mental and
physical health was by designing a
physical activity programme.
Jamie was initially reluctant, but
I persuaded him to take part in some
gentle physical activity. Within four
weeks Jamie experienced improvement
in his health and wellbeing. For the next
six months, I worked closely with Jamie,
utilising his bespoke sport and physical
activity programme and the results were
6 Issue 81
Dwayne and the other sport in mind walkers
staggering. Within nine months Jamie’s
symptoms had significantly reduced,
he was showing improved levels of
self-esteem and was back in full-time
employment.
Eight years on, Jamie continues to
manage his condition by engaging in
sport and physical activity on a regular
basis. He has been relapse free for eight
years and is enjoying life!
FF: Could you tell us about some of the
work the charity does?
NH: Sport in Mind works in
partnership with the NHS to provide
sport and physical activity groups in
a supportive environment in order to
help improve the health and wellbeing
of people experiencing mental health
problems.
We deliver a wide range of weekly
activities from energetic sports like
football to more peaceful activities
like yoga. We work with people with
all terms of mental health problems
ranging from those with mild anxiety
and depression to those with severe
and enduring conditions such as bipolar
disorder and schizophrenia.
FF: Are there any individual cases
that stand out for you in the work that
you’ve done?
NH: Sport in Mind has worked with
over 10,000 people with mental health
problems so it’s difficult to pinpoint any
specific individuals really as everyone’s
story is important. There are a few
personal stories on our website:
http://sportinmind.org/personal-
stories/
From a football point of view we
have supported a large number of
individuals to recover from mental
health problems, who have then
reengaged in “mainstream” football, be
that at Sunday league level, semi pro and
even at professional level. We’re unable
to provide names due to confidentiality.
FF: Where would you like to see the
charity five years from now?
NH: Sport in Mind is currently
expanding services across the South East
and Dorset. In five years’ time we would
like to be meeting the rapidly increasing
demand for our services across the
South.