Members of Parliament have given their support to the State of Mind Super League Round.
State of Mind, a charity who aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of rugby league players and communities, will take over the Super League once again for its annual dedicated round of fixtures this weekend (14-17 June).
A motion has been tabled in the House of Commons by Marie Rimmer MP, welcoming the round, which is taking place for the eighth year. The motion “hails the work that State of Mind does to improve the mental health and wellbeing of rugby league players and communities, by challenging traditional stereotypes and encouraging young men in particular to open up about their mental health.”
APPRLG 1
APPRLG 2
This year’s theme is Offload, linking to the men’s mental fitness and wellbeing project run by Rugby League Cares and State of Mind, and Super League club foundations. The project helps to challenge how the sporting world tackles issues such as depression and anxiety, and aims to help men to build their own mental fitness and develop coping strategies to challenge difficult situations.
Member of Parliament for St Helens South and Whiston and All-Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group Secretary, Marie Rimmer MP, said “State of Mind does fantastic work to raise awareness of mental health issues, and challenge stigma and misplaced perceptions among rugby league players and communities across the United Kingdom.
APPRLG 1
“It is vital that we address mental health issues to ensure the health and wellbeing of the nation, and I am delighted that State of Mind and rugby league have led the way in harnessing the power of sport to promote positive health and wellbeing.”
Group Chair and Member of Parliament for Bradford South, Judith Cummins MP, added “the State of Mind round of fixtures is the only initiative of its kind in the United Kingdom, and allows important mental fitness messages to reach fans and viewers across the country.
“I congratulate State of Mind for their ongoing work, and hope that all involved with rugby league can continue to build mental health awareness, and ensure that problems amongst players, coaches, referees and supporters can be tackled at the earliest possible stage.”
The full text of the motion is as follows:
State of Mind Super League Round
That this House welcomes the State of Mind Super League round, taking place for the eighth year in Round 18 of the competition (14-17 June); hails the work that State of Mind does to improve the mental health and wellbeing of rugby league players and communities, by challenging traditional stereotypes and encouraging young men in particular to open up about their mental health; notes that this year’s theme is Offload, which links to a men’s mental fitness and wellbeing project run by Rugby League Cares in partnership with State of Mind and the Super League club foundations, and which helps men to build their own mental fitness and develop coping strategies to challenge difficult situations; recognises that rugby league is the only sport in the UK that themes a round of fixtures around mental health; further recognises that State of Mind and Rugby League Cares’ Offload programme recently set a World Record for the largest mental health awareness lesson; and congratulates all involved with this fantastic initiative.