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people suffering from depression
may build the confidence to take
on other efficacy challenges in their
own lives.
Whatever the reasons, the
link between sport and the
management of mental illness is
about as well attested as can be
possible in any human science.
Studies all seem to agree there is
some link between them.
Just two studies indicate the
connection between exercise
and mental health. A study of
12-14 years olds conducted by
West Virginia University used
questionnaires in a broad study to
determine that the students who
were actively involved in sports
were happier.
At the other end of the
spectrum, in a studies conducted
on clinically depressed adults in
America, it was found that exercise
had a positive impact on even
the most severe cases. They have
found that regardless of the type
of exercise, changes in outlook and
happiness rose.
Governments and NGOs around
the world are investing in sport as a
method to alleviate depression.
In 2015, then-Deputy Prime
Minister of Great Britain Nick Clegg
unveiled an initiative deigned to
allocate funds and infrastructure to
sport. The Mental Health Charter
for Sport and Recreation combines
the heavy hitters of British sport
-the Rugby Football Union, the
England and Wales Cricket Board
and the Football Association- to
undertake a host of programs to
raise awareness about the positive
effects of sport. The program is not
only focusing on getting people at
risk of mental illness into the field.
As Clegg said: “for the very
first time we’re standing together
to help kick mental health
discrimination out of sport, not
just on the pitches but across the
playgrounds, so that we can build
a fairer society in which no one has
to suffer in silence.”
Depression and other mental
illnesses are common in sporting
communities, given the stresses
and pressure players find
themselves under. One of the goals
of the program is to get famous
sports people to open up about
their struggles so that they might
start a dialogue on this sometime
taboo topic.
Australia’s Beyondblue has
invested millions of the funds raised
from charity programs such as
Movember to find ways to support
young sports people. Over 5000
young men are taking part in the
program, which is being assessed
by the University of Wollongong
and is working in tandem the AFL,
Cricket Australia, Tennis Australia
and Swimming Australia.
Sports Psychologist Dr. Stewart
Vella said of the program, “sport
offers an opportunity to build
social and emotional skills, which
underpin our general well-being, in
a consistent and safe environment.”
Programs are slowly being
engaged around the developed
world to counter depression. These
cost money, but governments are
slowly realizing that the cost of
not dealing with this issue is much
higher.