Looseheadz
We at Exeter Saracens RFC are proud to be associated with LooseHeadz, a charitable organisation that believes that local rugby clubs are well placed to #TackleTheStigma around mental health and improve players' mental wellbeing. From encouraging physical activity to providing a safe space for players, volunteers, and supporters to belong and feel able to open up if they want to, we are committed to making conversations about mental health as normal as talking about any physical injury or ailment.
How are we doing this? Well, we have mental health leads who can help to support you and can refer you to local and online resources for further help. We are encouraging conversations, we want everyone to recognise that they do not have to struggle and face their troubles alone and to feel confident to reach out.
Looseheadz says "We are not experts in mental health. Instead, our mission is to raise awareness, and funds for those better qualified to help. That is why we have partnered with the Mental Health Foundation. Through their expertise we are able to support research backed initiatives to #TackleTheStigma."
Help and Support
If you are experiencing a mental health problem, help and support is always available.
In an emergency call 999 or immediately go to your local Accident and Emergency department;
- If your life is in danger (for example you are at risk of taking your own life or have seriously harmed yourself).
- If the life of someone else is in danger (for example they are at risk of taking their own life or have seriously harmed themselves).
- If you or someone else needs immediate help and you are worried about safety.
If you are not able to do this yourself, ask someone else to help. Find out more.
When it’s not life threatening but you need urgent medical advice;
- Call 111.
- Book an emergency GP appointment.
- Contact your local mental health crisis team.
There is lots of advice, guidance, and further links on the LooseHeadz help page
Don't forget to Shout!
Through LooseHeadz, we now have a fully funded 24/7 text line in association with Shout. Anyone can now text the word RUGBY to 85258 to access confidential support from a trained operator.
7 Steps to Mental Fitness
As part of our mission to #TackleTheStigma, we want to promote seven simple strategies to help you improve your mental fitness.
We all know that eating less junk food, exercising more and cutting back on smoking and drinking is good for our physical health, so how do we improve our mental health? It’s a very similar story believe it or not.
Small, simple steps can help make a real difference to our mental fitness. And it’s very much not a case of all or nothing. Simply employing one or two of these strategies into your daily routine can have huge benefits to your overall wellbeing
