Free access to our online course: Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity

Free access to our online course: Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity

Now more than ever, we need to look after each other’s mental health and wellbeing. Coaches and coaching organisations have told us that they are increasingly concerned about supporting the mental health of those whom they coach, as well as ensuring their own wellbeing.

To support the coaching community, Mind along with partners UK Coaching, 1st4sport and Sport England, announced on Monday 18 May that the online course Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity is now available free of charge. Usually £18, the course is accessible on the UK Coaching website and will remain free until 31 August 2020. 

The course which takes 2-3 hours to complete, is aimed at everyone who works in clubs, community sport and physical activity – including coaches, activators, sports administrators, front of house staff or volunteers. Learners will be able to increase their knowledge of mental health, and confidence when applying the learning into their coaching practice. 

Specifically, learners will be able to: 

• welcome and support people living with mental health problems in their sport and physical activity sessions 

• increase their knowledge of mental health problems 

• apply the learning in their coaching practice

• make their club or organisation more inclusive.

 More information

For information about this course or Mind’s physical activity work, please get in touch with the Physical Activity Team via sport@mind.org.uk or visit mind.org.uk/sport.

Free Vet offer

Free veterinary consultation for local Mind staff and service users

Many of us have four-legged family members and may be concerned about their health during this period. In order to help, FirstVet has kindly offered a free video consultation with one of their many experienced vets, open to the local Mind network, service-users and any family and friends who may benefit until the end of June 2020.

Their experienced vets will provide advice and at-home treatment recommendations, and send call notes to share with your usual vet, all while you are in the comfort and safety of your own home. FirstVet is the largest veterinary telemedicine service in Europe, and want to provide a service which helps people’s peace of mind during these challenging times.

FirstVet will provide support for most common pets. Example of conditions that FirstVet can help with include:

● Vomiting and diarrhoea

● Eye and ear problems

● Poisoning

● Coughing and sneezing

● Itching and skin problems

● Minor injuries and accidents

If FirstVet advises you to physically take your pet to your regular vet, and the vet is not available, they will refer you to the closest open clinic.

If you would like to take them up on their offer, simply register for FirstVet and download the app, then click on this link. Please note that you won’t have to enter any payment information to access the free initial consultation, and this service is available 12pm – 5pm, 7 days a week.

FirstVet have provided this service free of charge for supporters and service users of North Kent Mind. We appreciate their support during this time. Although the service is free, we’d be grateful for any support you can offer North Kent Mind by following the link and donating using https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/donation-web/charity?charityId=1008228&stop_mobi=yes