Mental Heath and Wellbeing – SAMH Charter
9th December 2023
Netball Scotland values equality, diversity, and inclusion and is committed to providing a pathway for people in Scotland to engage in our sport in whichever way they desire. To enhance equality and inclusion within our sport we are working with SAMH, Scottish Action for Mental Health, and have recently become a part of their Scotland’s Mental Health Charter for Physical Activity & Sport. The initiative aims to improve equality and reduce discrimination for anyone experiencing difficulties with mental health, and we would like to further reduce this barrier to those in sport. This work will further link to our Equality Policy and our Destination 2027 – Closing the Gap – strategy.
The work with SAMH, through their Charter, will see Netball Scotland staff complete Mental Health and Wellbeing training to support each other, our clubs, and our members. Additionally, Netball Scotland will also be working towards supporting and educating our netball family around mental health and wellbeing to strengthen netball environments for all, a priority of Netball Scotland’s.
Over the next two years, we will be looking to utilise SAMH resources and work towards creating our own specific netball and mental health resources. We are excited for SAMH to assist us and we look to ensure that this is well used throughout the whole of our business. For starters, we will be tapping into the knowledge of our new Netball Scotland Ambassadors and using the voice of young people, their opinions, and ideas to develop the mental health initiative. Netball Scotland will look to incorporate mental health and wellbeing within our Thistle Mark Standard (TMS), a soon to be mandatory requirement for junior and senior clubs to hold. We will continue to assess how we can incorporate mental health and wellbeing as a key focus throughout our full organisation.
Netball Scotland is also supporting all clubs who wish to be a part of this Charter. Clubs can sign up here by using their name, address, and email. Sign up allows access to resources and modules to further understanding on Mental Health and Wellbeing, how to recognise this and how to support anyone going through difficulties with mental health. Alternatively, you can use the QR Code below.
