Mental health awareness training is being rolled out to rugby
clubs across Wales as concerns grow about the rising number of
men struggling in silence.
The course helps teams, coaches and players to recognise and
offer support to people who may be experiencing mental health
difficulties.
The highest rates of suicide in Wales are in men between 35 and
55. It's anticipated that providing them with a space that
focuses on both positive mental and physical wellbeing will be
beneficial.
More than £2m is also being invested in the National Centre for
Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Research at Swansea University.
The online course, run by UK Coaching and mental health charity
Mind, has already seen more than 400 football clubs across Wales
signing up to take part.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to ensure sports clubs
can provide supportive spaces where people feel valued and
included.
Speaking at a male suicide prevention summit at Rodney Parade in
Newport, Mental Health Minister urged rugby clubs to sign up
to the training.
She said: “It is crucial men have access to
support before reaching crisis point.
“Sport can play a valuable role in reaching men who are
struggling with their mental health. We want more sports club to
learn how to provide their players, teams and staff with support
at an early stage.”
Organisations including the Dragons, Sport Wales, Samaritans,
Mind, Lads and Dads and 2Wish are among those attending the male
suicide prevention summit today, organised by the Welsh
Government.
Expanding mental health training to sports clubs is in line with
the ambitions in Wales' Suicide Prevention and Self-harm
Strategy, which was launched last year and is designed to
improve access to support and to reduce stigma.
Progress has been made in improving access to support services
without the need for a referral with more than 230,000 people
contacting the 111 press 2 mental health service since it was
launched in Wales in 2022.
Rhys Blumberg, CEO at Dragons RFC, said: “We
were delighted to host the male suicide prevention summit at
Rodney Parade as we take mental health awareness very
seriously for all our players, coaches, and staff.
“As a professional rugby club that represents a huge area of
Wales, we are always keen to expand the work we do to offer
advice and guidance on mental health.
“We welcome news that awareness training is being rolled out
to rugby clubs across Wales to provides people with the skills to
help support them in the most appropriate way and join the Welsh
Government and other stakeholders in encouraging all clubs
to access this vital new resource."
Sports Minister said: “Sports clubs
are so much more than places to play – they are places where
friendships are formed, where people find belonging, and where we
can look out for one another.
“With more than 400 football clubs already signed up, I know our
rugby clubs will embrace this opportunity with the same
enthusiasm, and I encourage them to get involved."
Notes to editors
- More information on the training is available on the UK
Coaching website
- Anyone needing support with mental health can ring the
24-hour CALL Helpline: 0800 132 737
- For urgent support please call the NHS on 111 and press 2
- For mental health information and support in Welsh and
English, visit Information and support
- The anonymous Samaritans helpline is available 24/7 on 116
123 and their Welsh helpline is available everyday 7pm-11pm on
0808 164 0123
- For anyone who is bereaved by suicide, the National Advisory
and Liaison Service Cymru offer free and confidential support to
people in Wales: 08000 487742
