State of Mind came into existence in 2011 and we thought you may be interested in the a series of articles about how State of Mind developed
Following the death of Terry Newton in 2010 Ernie Benbow then Honorary Secretary of the Wigan Warriors Past Player Association wrote an article in the Rugby League Express newspaper in October 2010. “In the same edition of the newspaper Malcolm Rae wrote a letter suggesting similar themes to those outlined by Ernie, in that the NHS and Rugby League should get together to try to prevent tragedies happening in rugby league.” Two NHS nurses (Phil Cooper and Carol Ede) saw the article and letter and invited Ernie and Malcolm to an initial meeting.
Dear Mr. Rae,
I hope you do not mind my contacting you. My name is Phil Cooper (Nurse Consultant Dual Diagnosis) based in the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. My colleague Joanne McDonnell has forwarded an email I received from Mr. Ernie Benbow (Honorary Secretary of the Past Players Association Wigan Warriors).
I contacted after liaison with a colleague (Carol Ede Dual Diagnosis Practitioner) who suggested we approach Mr. Benbow to offer some support as suggested in an article in the Rugby League Express (04/10/10) and your letter was in the letters page on the same subject. I have looked into a couple of similar schemes around the world using Mental Health First Aid approaches and wondered if you would be willing to meet up with myself, Carol and Mr. Benbow either in Whiston (St. Helens) or at Hollins Park, Warrington whichever would be most convenient?
Thank you for your time reading this email and I look forward to your response.
Many thank and best wishes
Phil Cooper & Carol Ede
Fortunately they both agreed to attend.
What took place then began the formation of State of Mind Sport as we know it today and the next feature will detail the story from a number of perspectives.