2. Positive Mental Health in Action
Emily Litten & Jo Cottell
Guernsey Mind
In partnership with the Guernsey Sports Commission
as part of the Generali Coach Development Week

3. Guernsey Mind Local charity promoting positive mental health
Created in 1977, 1st employee 2010 – now 5 staff
Lions Mind Centre (13 groups/weekly footfall 175, signposting, support and resources)
Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Employee Wellbeing Service (2,000 people, 50 workplaces)
Community in Mind (Hope Singers, Walk and Talk, Mental Health Champions)
Change in Mind (Team Talk, Mental Wellbeing in Mind, Mindful Employer, Annual 10k Fun Run and awareness events)
Carers in Mind training courses

4. Team Talk ‘we’re stronger as a team’
TALK Get in control, don’t stress alone
ENJOY Doing sport is good for you
ACT Send a message, have a chat
MIND Wear the Team Talk badge
Talking to teammates about what’s on our mind helps produce positive people and positive performance

5. Team Talk Ambassadors Tony Vance, Football Laura Fry, Triathlon
Tom Druce, Athletics
Jemma Crouse, Rugby
Alun Williams, Athletics
Rachel Merrien, Rugby
Spread the message – let’s get 50 sports signing the Team Talk Charter in Guernsey

7. Team Talk Sports Charter
Awareness training
Mental wellbeing on the agenda
Recognise and signpost
Tackle discrimination
Spread the word
Wear the Team Talk logo with pride

8. Mental health in our community
2 in 3 people (MH Foundation 2017)
25.4% of adults severe stress, 39.6% moderate stress (Healthy Lifestyle Survey, 2013)
33% of sickness and invalidity claims (SSD 2015)
5,000 people PCMHWS in first 2 years
42% of secondary school pupils ‘aren’t glad that they are who they are’ (Guernsey Young People’s Survey 2016)
£105.8m estimated total cost to Guernsey (4.5% GDP, OECD)
Suicide is biggest cause of years of life lost (Health Profile for Gsy and Alderney )

9. What is good mental wellbeing?
“Good Mental Health is a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”
(World Health Organisation, 2011)

10. Scenario: Barriers to speaking out
James is a football player who has been part of his team for the last 5 years. James likes a laugh and a drink after the game and is known for his tackling skills. Last year James and his wife separated, he started to drink more than usual and stopped coming to training as much. James isn’t always able to play at the weekend as this is when he has his children. What would stop James talking to his team?

11. How does poor mental wellbeing feel?
‘I felt like I had a washing machine inside my head. I had lots of thoughts constantly going around but nothing made sense. I couldn’t organise them enough to create solutions. I just thought and thought and thought…..’ Anonymous

12. Video Clip – Managing Stress

13. Stress is different for everyone. How do you act when you’re stressed?
Activity
Stress is experienced by everyone. Examining how we feel when stressed helps us learn to manage our mental health better.
Stress is different for everyone. How do you act when you’re stressed?

14. When stress becomes an issue
Changes will occur in someone’s usual behaviour:
Reduced performance/poor concentration
Timekeeping issues
Self-medication
Withdrawing into yourself
Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason
Severe mood swings
Headaches/Physical Symptoms
Intensive worries or fears that get in the way of daily life
Self harming

15. Common signs and symptoms of anxiety
Physical
Muscle pain
Tightening of the chest
Racing heart
Difficulty sleeping
Restless and on edge
Shortness of breath
Feeling
Overwhelmed
Dread − that something bad is going to happen
Fearful
Constantly tense
Panic
Thinking
“I’m going crazy”
“I can’t control myself”
“People are judging me”
Constant worry
Unwanted and intrusive thoughts
Behavioural
Avoiding situations and tasks
Difficulty making decisions
Poor concentration
Relying on alcohol/drugs
Compulsive behaviour

16. Common signs and symptoms of Depression
Physical
tired all the time
difficulty sleeping
significant weight loss or gain
sick and run down
Feeling
unhappy
overwhelmed
unmotivated
irritable
indecisive
Thinking
“I’m a failure”
“It’s my fault”
“I’m worthless”
“Life’s not worth living”
Behavioural
unable to concentrate
not getting things done at work
withdrawing from co-workers
taking lots of days off
relying on alcohol and/or drugs

17. Eating disorders
Eating disorders aren't about food or weight but rather attempts to deal with emotional and stress-related issues
Affect someone physically, psychologically and socially
Often co-exist with other mental health issues
20% die prematurely from physical consequences or suicide
Are treatable, early intervention is vital
Estimated 6.4% of people in England experience an ED at any given time
Numbers diagnosed have increased by 15% since 2000, with incidence in males rising by 27%

18. Self-harm Self-harm (self injury) is a behaviour not an illness
Term covers non suicidal behaviour that inflicts physical harm on the body and risk-taking behaviour
Used to relieve or communicate feelings of distress, to self punish and/or regain sense of control
Isn't attention seeking, is often secretive and private
Typically begins in adolescence
Is more common in veterans, young people, women, LGBT, prisoners, asylum seekers, and those who’ve been abused
UK has highest self-harm rate in Europe
People who self-harm for >15 years are >50 times more likely to die by suicide

19. Fit Your Own Mask First

20. Look after your body & your mind (1)
Physical & mental health are connected:
Energy management vv stress management
Exercise
Healthy diet
Breathing -We normally take breaths per minute. We need to take 5-6 breaths per minute to manage energy well. Deep breathing helps to notice tension and knots of energy in our body
Enough sleep
Alcohol and caffeine intake

21. Look after your body & your mind (2)
Knowledge is key – ‘Mental Wellbeing in Mind’, national sport campaigns, media, books
Creative hobbies (soul crafts) e.g. knitting, drawing, pottery, gardening
Follow local on-line communities (e.g. Guernsey Mind, gsyhealthandwellbeing, BeInspired, Mindful Guernsey)
Self-help communities (e.g. The Hope Singers)
Self compassion vv self esteem

22. Replenish your energy Laugh / cry Catch up with friends Read
Listen to/play music
Meditate
Hug a tree
Take a bath
Pat a pet
Go for a walk
Create something
Journal / make lists
Play a ‘board’ game
Yoga
Cook
Have a massage
What doesn’t work?.....

23. Scenario: what would you do?
Charlotte is a athlete specialising in 100 and 200 metres track. She is 18 years old and this year will be taking part in her first Island Games. Charlotte is expected to do well in the Games and is starting to feel the pressure. She is pushing herself really hard in training, not sleeping well and last week she told you she had a panic attack. What can you talk to Charlotte about?

24. Video Clip - Empathy

25. Talking to a teammate Do
Let them know you are there for them and that they can talk to you again
Be interested, ask questions
Let them guide the way
Remember they’re still the same person
Look after yourself – ask for help if you need it
Don’t
Make assumptions, everyone is different
Ignore or avoid the person
Be afraid to ask
Try to fix their problems
Talk about your own problems
Talk about it to someone else unless they want you to
Offer advice, it’s more important to listen
Don’t Say
“Harden up”
“Get over it, you’ll be fine”
“Look on the bright side”
“It’s not my problem, I don’t want to get involved”
“You’re worrying about nothing”
“When I felt like that I…”

26. Signposting Go to the GP - Talking treatments / medication
Health Trainers (5 ways to Wellbeing, Health Promotion Unit)
The Growth Mindset Coaching Kit (Facebook)
CBT – Primary Care MH and Wellbeing Service, Decider Skills (get.gg), online (e.g. Moodgym)
Mindfulness (Mindful Guernsey, ‘Headspace’)
Counselling e.g. Philippi Counselling, Guernsey Bereavement Service, Relate
Resources and signposting - Guernsey Mind can help
For young people: GP/School Nurses/The Hub (5-18)/School Mental Health Coordinator (Grammar School)/Youth Mental Health First Aiders (to come)/Action for Children (16-25)

27. Video Clip – ‘Lift the Weight’

28. A mentally healthy community
Get to know your team
Develop a positive culture around mental health
Talk about wellbeing as part of your team talks
Lead by example
Don’t be afraid to approach someone you are concerned about
Become a Mental Health First Aider
The first step is the hardest……

29. Other support
Cricket –
Tel
Rugby –
Football –
Tel
Athletics – England Athletics &

30. Thank you!