Mental health charity Mind launches physical activity project

Mental health charity Mind has launched a Sport England-backed physical activity project aimed to support 75,000 people with mental health problems.

Get Set to Go – also being funded by the National Lottery – encourages people experiencing issues such as depression and anxiety to join mainstream sports clubs, go to the gym or take up a new sport.

The programme is running at Mind centres in Brent, Croydon, Dudley, Herefordshire, Rochdale, Lancashire, Middlesbrough and Tyneside. Those taking part receive one-on-one support from others, and will also be able to get support through Mind’s social network Elefriends.

In addition, Mind has established a new motivational website to help women with mental health problems chose a sport which is suitable for them in response to a survey which found that women suffering mental health issues do not participate in physical activity because they were not good at PE.

Indeed, 57 per cent of the 660 women questioned felt they were not good at PE in school, while 43 per cent felt it was too competitive.

Mind’s website asks people to select barriers to participation and provides practical tips to inspire people to take the first steps to physical activity.

“We know that having a mental health problem can make getting active more difficult. The thought of joining a running group when you have bipolar disorder, depression or OCD can stop you in your tracks – but a mental health problem doesn’t have to prevent anybody from getting active,” said Hayley Jarvis, Mind community programmes manager, sport.

“Our new website is full of practical tips and inspirational real life stories which can help people take the first step, and reap the benefits of an active lifestyle. Being active can be an enjoyable, fun and social way of looking after your physical and mental health. Lots of people tell us it is a great way to socialise and make new friends – and there is a huge number of activities people can do if they struggle with social situations or new faces.”