- United Kingdom
Beyond making us feel good in the moment, sport can have a longer-term impact on our wellbeing, boosting confidence and resilience and reducing the risk of developing and living with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
This report examines the impact of the ‘Safe, Fit and Well’ doorstep projects commissioned by StreetGames. These projects were led by Mental Health First Aid trained coaches and activity leaders to support the mental wellbeing of young people living in 7 disadvantaged urban areas in the UK. Different sports were identified as having bespoke benefits depending on the needs of the individuals being targeted.
Results showed that all the StreetGames projects led to an increase in wellbeing. The project with the greatest increase in high wellbeing saw 11% of participants with high wellbeing at the start of the project and 74% at follow-up. The report explains that, when coaches and activity leads are provided with Mental Health First Aid training, community sport can play a significant role in enhancing the mental wellbeing of children and young adults.
