England Boxing is seeking your views on mental health in boxing

February 19, 2018 | by Gemma Field

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England Boxing is working with the mental health charity, Mind, to develop a workshop for coaches on mental health awareness in boxing.

Mental health problems are more common than people may think, in fact, one in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. In recent years a number of high profile boxers have publicly discussed their battles with mental health. Many members of England Boxing will have experienced, and may currently be facing difficulties of their own or will know people who are struggling with their mental health.

England Boxing is not expecting coaches to become counsellors, rather we want to equip clubs and coaches to be able to help those that are struggling with their mental health to feel able to speak to someone about it, and to seek help just as you would for a physical injury or illness.

To make sure that this workshop meets the needs of the sport we would like to hear from coaches and boxers to help us to develop the right content. Please let us have any thoughts that you may have on the following questions by contacting CSO Matthew Williams on 07515 333032 / matthew.williams@www.englandboxing.org

1. Have you had any experience of coaching or trying to help someone struggling with their mental health in boxing?

2. What kind of information would help you to feel able to support a boxer with a mental health problem?

3. Based on any experiences that you may have, do you have any suggestions for how you think boxing clubs and coaches can support members that are experiencing mental health problems?

4. Is there anything else that you would like to suggest?

The team will be developing the content with boxers with their own personal experiences of mental health problems, coaches and volunteers. If you would like to be further involved please contact us.

(Source: NHS Digital, Mental Health & Wellbeing in England, Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/pubs/psychiatricmorbidity07)