Mental Health Champions

For the attention of all Thanet roadrunner members. In collaboration with England Athletics and the mental health charity Mind a programme has been created with the aim of improving mental health through running in England, #RunandTalk;

The aims are:

• To get people talking about mental health, sharing their experiences and removing stigma.
• Provide support and guidance to raise awareness of mental health problems.
• Support people experiencing mental health problems to be physically active through running, whether that is to support them in starting, returning to or continuing to run.
• This is done by the club appointing Mental Health Champions and Mental Health Ambassadors
• The aim is to one day have Mental Health Champions and Ambassadors in every England Athletics affiliated club and RunTogether group in England so that people experiencing mental health problems can access the benefits of running in a supported way.

Mental Health Champions will:

• Be nominated and appointed by an England Athletics affiliated club or RunTogether group and act on their behalf.
• Have lived experience of a mental health problem, either personally or from a close relative or friend.
• Have an open and non-judgmental attitude.
• Adopt a positive, patient and supportive approach towards supporting people with mental health problems.
• Be a positive role model.
• Behave in a professional, confidential and non-discriminatory manner at all times and promote equal opportunities for all.

Mental Health Ambassadors will:

• Be an England Athletics Mental Health Champion
• Hold a Mental Health First Aid Training qualification (2 days or equivalent)
• Have professional experience of working in mental health settings in the community (e.g. in a mental health charity) or the NHS in a practitioner role this could include in support roles, therapist, mental health nurse or another relevant clinical role.

They will:

• Undertake the activities within the role of the Champion
• Provide an advisory role to England Athletics regarding #RunAndTalk
• Provide support to other Champions (Champions will be assigned to a specific Ambassador for support/guidance)
• Be a point of contact for Champions and provide advice and guidance regarding any concerns
• Once appointed Mental Health Champions and Ambassadors are provided with guidance and advice to support them in the role.
• Applications are taken four times a year, January, April, July, October

If anyone is interested and would like further information, please drop me a line via the safeguarding contact email.

Pam x