World Mental Health Day: People with mental health issues still less active
Thursday 10 October is World Mental Health Day. It is a campaign led by the Mental Health Foundation about a particular mental health issue. This year the Foundation’s focus is on older people, but the aim is to raise awareness about good mental health to the wider public. The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) recognises the importance that physical activity has on all our health and well-being. But recent research revealed that people with mental health issues are less engaged in sport and physical activity.
This World Mental Health Day, sports providers are encouraged to think about the ways in which they can ensure the good mental health of people through lifestyle choices, better social connections and active citizenship.
In September, EFDS, the national body and charity dedicated to disabled people in sport throughout England, revealed a new study into disabled people’s lifestyles and their participation in physical activity. The research highlights some stark findings for people with mental health issues:
- People with mental health issues are much less likely to be engaged in sport compared to people with other impairments:
- Only 56% stated that they enjoyed the last time they played sport compared to 78% of people with other impairments.
- Only 46% see playing sport or being active as important compared to 69% of people with other impairments.
- Only 35% enjoyed PE at school compared to 51% of people with other impairments.
- Only 28% think of themselves as a sporty person compared to 52% of people with other impairments.
- The expense of sport is a significant barrier to participation for people with a mental health issue.
As well as the barriers to sporting participation, EFDS's research also determines a number of opportunities for policymakers and sports providers:
- Unlike people with other impairments who take part because it is fun, the main reason people with mental health issues take part in sport or physical activity is to improve their health.
- Taking part in sport and physical activity alone is much more common among people with mental health issues, who are twice as likely to take part alone (53%), compared to than other impairments (24%).
- People with mental health issues seek sport and physical activity opportunities which require minimal commitment- something which is flexible that focuses on fun and enjoyment that they can take part in alone.
Sport in Mind, an independent mental health charity founded in 2011, points out that this year, one-in-four of us in the United Kingdom will be affected by a mental health problem. Despite this, there is still a tremendous amount of stigma attached to this type of illness. At Sport in Mind® they use sport to assist people in their recovery from illness and raise awareness.
“For years it has been common knowledge that playing regular sport and exercise is beneficial to one's physical health. However, many people are still unaware that exercise can have a positive effect on peoples’ mental health. Extensive research into mental illness has shown us that individuals participating in regular sporting activities have reduced levels of anxiety, improvements in mood and increased self-esteem.” (Sport in Mind http://sportinmind.org)
Good emotional health or well-being is just as important as good physical health. As the Mental Health Foundation states:
“Mental Health affects us all. How we think and feel about ourselves and our lives impacts on our behaviour and how we cope in tough times. It affects our ability to make the most of the opportunities that come our way and play a full part amongst our family, workplace, community and friends. It’s also closely linked with our physical health. Whether we call it well-being, emotional welfare or mental health, it’s key to living a fulfilling life.”
EFDS recognises the part sport and physical activity have to play in the lives of people with mental health issues. As well as supporting the sport and fitness sector to be more inclusive, we encourage disabled people to be active at whatever level they choose. EFDS programmes like Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) leads the way in providing accessible physical activity and increasing disabled people’s participation.
IFI aims to help eliminate the fears and insecurities providers often have about disabled people. It provides accessible physical activity and increases participation. EFDS has been delivering the programme for over ten years and in this time has accredited over 400 IFI Mark gym facilities nationally. Those gyms realise how important accessibility and service provision is for disabled people.
Last year, EFDS through IFI produced a guide with and for Age UK to support older disabled people in fitness. Recommendations and good practice are supported by learning and project outcomes of Age UK Fit as a Fiddle, which champions physical activity, healthy eating and wellbeing programmes for older people.
To read EFDS’s full report please use this link
The below documents may provide more information for your interest:
- MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION "lets get physical" report
- MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION "How to look after your mental health using exercise"
- Download and display the IFI Uplifted poster
Tennis ran a useful blog in 2011 on the positive impact of tennis on mental health service users in Nottinghamshire. Read it here.
The Tennis Foundation also ran the Community Mental Health Programme in Glasgow where players are offered free tennis sessions. It has proved to be really successful.
For more information, or to get involved in World Mental Health Day, click on the Mental Health Foundation's website.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is an independent professional membership organisation and registered charity representing over 15,000 psychiatrists in the UK and Internationally. Their website has some useful information about mental health and the benefits of exercise.
*Mental health problems include: anxiety, addiction, obsession, phobia, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia or an eating disorder.
For more information on EFDS or media requests, contact:
Sarah Marl, Marketing and Communications Manager- Mobile 07764 291671
Find us on Twitter @Eng_Dis_Sport, Facebook and LinkedIn
If you are a disabled person looking for an inclusive gym or a participation opportunity near you, visit our IFI facility search or events pages.
