MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

‘The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the potential impact on everyone’s mental health and well-being.

I am delighted that the club have become a partner of the Looseheadz Foundation, to support all our players, coaches, staff and volunteers through these testing times and going forward into the future’

Gary Coupland – Former President of Annan Rugby


THE LOOSEHEADZ FOUNDATION

The LooseHeadz Foundation is the cornerstone of Looseheadz campaign to #TackleTheStigma.

Currently the Foundation is funded through the sales of clothing, donations and fundraisers.

The Foundation is run by a board of trustees, and headed up by their patron Shaun Edwards, to ensure total visibility in everything they do. The trustees then decide where to distribute the money raised, and report back to the team on the impact of their campaigns.

Looseheadz are immensely proud to have Shaun Edwards as the Patron of the LooseHeadz Foundation. Shaun, a legend of both codes of rugby needs no introduction. His help, support and association allow Loozeheadz to further help the silent majority affected by mental health.

The Foundation operates entirely separately to LooseHeadz to ensure that all funds received are appropriately distributed.

More information on the Foundation at: https://looseheadz.co.uk/pages/foundation


Help & Support

If you are experiencing a mental health problem, help and support is always available.

A list of numerous helplines and listening services for support and advice can be accessed at: https://looseheadz.co.uk/pages/help-support


WHO ARE LOOSEHEADZ?

LooseHeadz are a rugby clothing brand working to #TackleTheStigma that surrounds mental health in sport.

Each sale of their rugby apparel helps to fund the LooseHeadz Foundation

100% of the profits from the sales of their rugby leisurewear will go towards improving the mental wellbeing of players at every level of the game.

More information on their website at: https://looseheadz.co.uk/

If you purchase any merchandise via their website, you can use the discount code ANNAN for a 15% discount.

AT ANNAN RUGBY

Our Mental Health Co-Ordinators at Annan Rugby are Laura MacKay and Alison Martin

Laura and Alison’s roles will be to liaise with Looseheadz and the SRU in regard to mental health and well-being, resources, courses, events etc and act as the clubs point of contact, if anyone is looking for more info.

Laura’s mobile: 0780 866 0753 / Email: LauraMac@AnnanRFC.com

Alison’s mobile: 07730 791751 / Email: Alison@AnnanRFC.com


Here at Annan Rugby we aim to:


Fundraisers

Annan Rugby will be raising money for Looseheadz at various fundraisers over the year – Watch this space!

In the meantime, there are numerous other Looseheadz fundraisers that can be donated to via https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=LooseHeadz

One such fundraiser was by Annan senior player Michael Thompson. Michael raised funds last year for Looseheadz by attempting a 70k run!

Read Michaels story at https://www.gofundme.com/f/michael-thompson-70k-run-for-looseheadz

TEAM MENTAL HEALTH PARTNER

Looseheadz: “We are not experts in mental health. Instead, our mission is to raise awareness, and funds for those better qualified to help.

That is why we have partnered with Team Mental Health.

Through the expertise of Dr Libby Artingstall and Dr Sile McDaid, we are able to support research backed initiatives to #TackleTheStigma.”

More information at: https://teammentalhealth.co.uk/

TRY YOUR BEST TO:

Annan Rugby have partnered up with The Looseheadz Foundation to Support Players, Coaches, Staff and Volunteers, in these unpredictable times we are living in and going forward into the Future. #TACKLETHESTIGMA

WAYS TO WELLBEING

  1. CONNECT ~  Stay connected with Family, Friends and Colleagues.  Regular contact enables us to share ideas, concerns, worries and offer or received support.
  2. BE ACTIVE ~ Physical activity is good for our Mental Health, done in a way that is safe and right for you. A good diet, sleep and staying hydrated benefits towards good Mental Health.
  3. TAKE NOTICE ~ It is important for us to try and focus on being present and in the moment, as our thoughts and feelings about the unknown can overwhelm us.
  4. KEEP LEARNING ~ Mental stimulation has been shown to protect our Mental Health, taking up a new hobby or rediscovering old interest gives us goals to achieve.

Here at Annan Rugby we aim to build a Mental Health friendly Rugby Club

FURTHER HELP AND SUPPORT

If you are experiencing a Mental Health problem help and support is always available.

There are different helplines and listening services available that can provide emotional support.

  • The Samaritans (24 hours a day) – 116 123
  • CALM (5pm – midnight) – 0800 58 58 58
  • Shout (24 hours a day) – text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
  • Childline (24 hours) 0800 1111
  • Papyrus (9am – 10pm weekdays and 2pm – 10pm weekend & bank holidays) – 0800 068 4141

If you are looking for support and advice;

If you are looking for self-help;

Here at Annan Rugby our Mental Health Coordinator is:

LAURA MacKAY

If you need any more information or just a chat you can contact Laura on:-

Mobile: 07808660753

Email: LauraMac@AnnanRFC.com


#TACKLETHESTIGMA