PCA support Mental Health Awareness Week The Professional Cricketer Association are again supporting Mental Health Awareness Week, a national campaign which aims to reduce the stigma around mental health in the workplace. Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from May 8 to 14, is organised by the Mental Health Foundation with this year’s theme being ‘Surviving to Thriving.’ Rather than ask why so many people are living with mental health problems this Mental Health Awareness Week will seek to uncover why so few are thriving with good mental health. The PCA have already done pioneering work in sport to help raise the importance of mental wellbeing and to de-stigmatise mental health issues. A number of high profile cricketers including PCA President Andrew Flintoff, Marcus Trescothick, Graeme Fowler, Darren Cousins, Monty Panesar, Tim Ambrose, Mike Yardy and Iain O’Brien have spoken openly about their own battles with anxiety and depression in films for the PCA’s Mind Matters series. The PCA also set up a Confidential Helpline in 2007 which provides targeted specialised help for all PCA members – past county cricketers or their immediate family members – who need support. The helpline, which is run by Harley Street mental wellbeing experts Cognacity, arranges face-to-face support with an appropriate clinician within 48 hours, but cases are also referred through the PCA’s team of Personal Development and Welfare Managers across the country or through the medical and coaching staff at county clubs. In 2016 the PCA supported 79 members, 30 of whom were current players and 49 former players. Over 300 clinical outpatient sessions were provided and three PCA members required residential treatment. The PCA membership of more than 4,000 comprises all current playing member – including the England Women’s squads – all past county cricketers and umpires. ” We are committed to supporting our members with mental health provisions. We deal with a number of cases in the areas of depression, anxiety, addiction, bereavement and relationships,” said Ian Thomas, the PCA Head of Development and Welfare. ” Players and clubs are continually made aware that this support is available to them confidentially. We are very grateful to a number of our members who have spoken openly about their own personal struggles and who have been true mental health ambassadors in giving other members and the general public confidence to reach out for support.” To see and hear more about the PCA Mental Health and Wellbeing education programme click here.
