How are you?
BVAC is committed to the mental well-being of its members. We know the benefits of physical activity and the importance of connecting with others on mental health. Never more important than during the 2020-2021 lockdown.
BVAC is a #runandtalk club. #runandtalk is an England Athletics initiative supported by Mind, the mental health charity, which aims to improve mental health through running in England by:
- getting people talking about mental health, sharing their experiences and removing stigma
- providing support and guidance to raise awareness of mental health problems
- supporting people experiencing mental health problems to be physically active through running, whether that is to support them in starting, returning to or continuing to run.
We plan to hold #runandtalk walks or runs on the first Saturday and Sunday of every month as we come out of lockdown. Details of these events will be added to the real run schedule.
BVAC’s mental health champions are Natalie Price and Linda Whiteley:
Their role is to have conversations about mental health and, while they are not mental health professionals, they are equipped to point members in the direction of services that may be able to help. They have undertaken training with England Athletics and MIND. Fifteen run leaders have also had mental health training.
We support Time to Talk Day in February.
We take part in #runandtalk week in September.
We take part in world mental health day activities in October and keep the focus on mental health for that week.
Some useful resources
mind.org.uk/media-a/6283/calendar_a4.pdf Mind, the mental health charity.
RecoveryCollegeOnline.co.uk This is an NHS website with stacks of info, self-help, real life experiences and e-learning, including specific covid stuff. It's free to use.
1 March 2021