Mental Fitness Session with Danny Sculthorpe and Ian Knott – State of Mind
Two ex-professional sportsmen from Rugby League (Danny Sculthorpe, Ex Wigan Warriors, and Ian Knott, ex Warrington Wolves, present a session and use their knowledge and experience of life as professional sportsmen, including their personal lived experience of mental health, to raise awareness about mental fitness issues in sport and relate this to a sporting situation.
During the session, each presenter will share with the audience their personal story, which has proven a powerful means of getting the key messages across with real impact.
The presentation will address mood, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation and, in the case of the two presenters, what worked for them in turning their lives around.
The presenters are fully trained and have undertaken MH and suicide prevention courses, including Mental Heath First Aid. The presentations are clinically developed by our Clinical Trustees.
The session usually last about 45 – 50 minutes and have now been delivered extensively across professional and amateur sports clubs, commercial organisations, public sector bodies and charities.
The key objectives of the session are to:
Describe the symptoms of anxiety and depressed moods
Discuss issues of suicide prevention
List the signs of potential alcohol and drug misuse
Share information to improve mental fitness and wellbeing
Consider setting of goals and measures for overcoming adversity
Encourage looking out for and responding to work mates who might be experiencing problems
The presenters engage the audience in what is typically a challenging subject, particularly for men, and also allow time for Q&A at the end of each session, or as part of a walkabout immediately following the presentation.