Head in the Clouds – Mental Health Awareness
Head in the Clouds is a BGA initiative to raise Mental Health Awareness in gliding. It is being led by Mental Health First Aider and BGGC Membership Liaison Officer, Joey Beard.
The BGA are already a signatory to the Sport & Recreation Alliance Mental Health Charter: ‘By signing up to the Charter, you are committing to helping make our vision, to embed mental health within sport and recreation to create a culture shift that removes the stigma around mental health, a reality.’
In the April/May 2022 issue of S&G , Joey wrote an article about the need to raise mental health awareness in Gliding called ‘Head in the Clouds’ The article emphasized the need to:
- Talk more openly about mental wellbeing in gliding.
- Recognise the signs of mental health issues and know where to go for help.
- Recognise the positive impact our sport has on mental health.
Following a number of focus groups and discussions at the Club Development Conference, the next step is to create an Action Plan for approval by the Sport & Recreational Alliance. As part of this awareness campaign, we are seeking glider pilots to tell their stories about mental health to get more people talking on the airfield.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact joanna.beard@hotmail.com
Mental health top tips!
Looking after your own mental health is not something we should just do when we’re struggling. It’s something we should think about all the time and invest in.
The NHS provides seven top-tips to improve our mental well-being. You can view them here.
Traumatic event
Royal College of Psychiatrists guidance for someone who has witnessed a traumatic event is available here.
Bereavement
When bereavement occurs in our personal, work or leisure lives, it is important to look out for each other and talk to one another about how we’re feeling. There is a wealth of accessible and free professional support out there. Please don’t be afraid to use it. Here are example sources of information:
Online Bereavement Support | Sue Ryder
