UK Sport strengthens mental health support for elite sport – appoints special panel and first mental health lead
UK Sport and the English Institute of Sport (EIS) have made a number of appointments to strengthen the mental health support system within the UK's high performance system.
Dr James Bell, a performance psychologist who's worked with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Rugby Football Union, has been appointed head of mental health at the EIS – alongside his existing duties as head of culture at UK Sport.
His appointment is accompanied by the appointment of an Expert Mental Health panel, which will advise the high performance system over the coming years.
Believed to be unique for any world class programmes, the panel consists of four mental health professionals and is part of measures to help top British athletes deal with mental health issues.
Professor Alan Currie, is chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Sports and Exercise Psychiatry Special Interest Group (SEPSIG) and a member of the International Society for Sport Psychiatry (ISSP). Doctor Allan Johnston is a trustee to the State of Mind sports charity and was employed as rugby league’s first sports psychiatrist by the Bradford Bulls RLFC.
Clinical psychologist, Doctor Amanda Gatherer has extensive experience with elite athletes through her previous consultancy work with the ECB and the EIS and doctor Steve Peters is renowned for his work in elite and professional sport.
The appointments are part of the Mental Health Strategy, developed by the Mental Health Steering Group which includes representation from UK Sport, EIS, the British Athletes Commission (BAC), World Class Programmes, industry and the mental health charity MIND.
The strategy is designed to promote a sustainable high performance system where all people have the best opportunity to have positive mental health and ensure there is appropriate support for those experiencing mental health problems.
Speaking about his new role, Dr James Bell said: "Positive strides have already been made within this area, and alongside the appointment of the expert mental health panel, I'm excited to be part of a system that puts the mental health of the athletes and staff at the heart of our culture.
It is critical that we take a leading role in the education, support and provision allocated to mental health in elite sport in the UK.”
Chelsea Warr, UK Sport's director of performance, added: “Supporting our nation’s most promising athletes both physical and mental health is of paramount importance.
"The development and delivery of UK Sport’s/EIS’s Mental Health Strategy, alongside our other Home Country Sport Institutes, will support sports in dealing with complex mental health cases via access to world class experts who have an affinity with High Performance operating environments.
“The strategy will also focus on supporting sports to develop proactive and positive mental health environments that enable athletes and support teams to thrive.
"The Strategy will play a significant role in ensuring the GB High Performance system remains future focussed, responsible and responsive to today’s and tomorrow’s opportunities for continual improvement”.
English Institute of Sport UK SportLiz Nicholl to step down as CEO of UK Sport
Campaign to train 21,000 sports coaches to be 'mental health aware'
Leisure trust invests in 'mental health first aid'
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
