England Golf’s Fore Your Mind campaign has been launched to support golfers of all abilities – whether you’ve just picked up a club for the first time or you’ve been playing for years.
As part of the campaign, they’ve launched the Mental Health Scorecard – a simple tool to help you recognise the signs of poor mental health in yourself or those around you, and know how to offer support.
Built around Mind’s Spot. Support. Signpost. framework, this allows anyone to ensure that individuals gain help where they need it.
England Golf recognises that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year. This is potentially 195,000 members of golf clubs or iGolfers who might experience a mental health problem every year.
As golfers, we understand that golf can be great for our mental health. It can be a great way to focus on something other than our daily worries. But it shouldn’t be the only tool we use to manage difficult emotions.
Fore Your Mind has two aims for golfers:
- To support golfers to understand more about mental health and spot the signs of poor mental health
- To use that information and encourage golfers to ask their friends, family or four-ball – “Are you okay?”
If you think your life is at immediate risk, call 999, go straight to A&E if you can, or call your local crisis team.
What to look out for
Here are some common signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health:-
- Avoiding or missing sessions
- Reduced motivation
- Isolating themselves
- Not enjoying activities they usually like
- Quieter or more withdrawn than usual
- Louder or more energetic than usual
- Said they’re feeling sad, anxious or worried
- Extreme mood swings
- Expressed thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Said they feel trapped or hopeless
- Confused or disordered thoughts
- Difficulty making decisions or concentrating
- Over-sleeping or trouble sleeping
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Drinking or smoking more than usual
- Unexplained headaches or other aches or pains
- Feeling sick or nauseous
- Crying, restless or agitated
- Neglecting self-care
Some people may not show any signs that they’re struggling. This doesn’t make their experiences any less real or hard to cope with.
General information on mental health can be found here: What are mental health problems? – Mind .
England Golf wants to encourage golfers to spot the signs within their club, friendship group, or four-ball. We are doing this by supporting golfers to be aware of the signs within their clubs and to feel confident in signposting people to a Mental Health First Aider, the NHS, or other professional support.
It can be challenging to spot the signs of someone struggling with their mental health. Don’t forget that everyone is unique, and we all have different ways of showing or talking about our experiences.
Where to get help?
NHS – Mental Health Support website: Mental health – NHS.
Mind – Support helplines are available: Helplines | Mind or call 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans – Available day or night, 365 days a year. Call 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org.
Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258. Available 24/7.
Help for Heroes – Self-refer by completing the Ask for Help form or call 0300 303 9888 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm).