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Huddersfield Giants Support STATE OF MIND Programme
Huddersfield Giants are supporting the Rugby Football League’s STATE OF MIND programme to raise awareness of mental health issues and highlight help which is available to players, coaches, spectators and their families.
STATE OF MIND is backed by the Rugby Football League (RFL) as the game’s first major attempt to raise awareness of mental health issues. The RFL has designated the last round of fixtures (Round 27) for this Super League season as the STATE OF MIND round. Huddersfield Giants will play Leeds Rhinos at the Galpharm Stadium during the weekend of 9-11th September when there will a series of activities to highlight the STATE OF MIND programme.
STATE OF MIND arose following the sad death of former player Terry Newton in September 2010. The programme aims to link local rugby league clubs, both professional and amateur, in pursuing community wellness, mental health improvement and raising awareness of mental health issues.
The key benefits expected from the STATE OF MIND programme include
• raised awareness of and ability to deal with mental health problems through education, awareness and training
• enhanced partnership working amongst key stakeholders of the RFL, players, clubs, coaches and other staff, NHS commissioners and providers, Mental Health Trust and the council and the rugby league communities
• recommendations leading to a sustainable plan for the programme of work.
To deliver this the programme STATE OF MIND has a developed a DVD which explores issues of mental health in sport and will deliver Super League Club Player Education awareness session to players prior to Round 27 of the 2011 Super League season. There will be training sessions to youth development managers and others within the Super League in September supported by St George Healthcare Group and Mental Health First Aid England. A new STATE OF MIND website will be launched with links through to support and services available in Kirklees at www.kirklees.gov.uk/mentalhealth.
In Kirklees the council and NHS Kirklees are planning to work with the Huddersfield Giants to raise awareness of this campaign with their fan base leading up to Round 27 by using the local media and hosting practical activity opportunities. The big West Yorkshire derby against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday 11th September 2011 at the Galpharm Stadium will continue to raise the awareness of the campaign by promoting positive mental health in sport. To ensure long term development in the wider rugby league community, local community clubs will also be offered the awareness training over the coming months.
First team star and State of Mind Ambassador Andy Raleigh commented:
“Huddersfield Giants are really keen to support this important programme. We recognise that mental health issues can affect everyone. As a club we are in a unique position to be able to support and help the rugby league community of players and supporters by raising awareness of issues and make people aware of services and support which is available locally in Kirklees.”
