Bristol, UK, 28.06.203 – A family of competitive swimmers, Andrea, Jack, and India Brown, have launched an innovative campaign to address the mental health crisis among youth athletes. The campaign, which debuted in June 2023, focuses on raising awareness and eradicating the stigma associated with mental health issues in sports.
The campaign was born out of concern for the high levels of stress and pressure young athletes face. According to Forensic Psychiatrist Kike Anunobi, young athletes can experience up to 600 times more stressors than their adult counterparts. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for intervention and support.
The campaign’s key components include an educational documentary available on YouTube, an eBook, free mental health first aid courses, and a "We care. Talk to us" pop-up banner that the family aims to have in clubs and leisure centers everywhere by October's Mental Health Awareness Day. These resources are designed to provide young athletes, their families, and sports clubs with the tools needed to foster mental well-being.
Andrea Brown, the campaign’s co-founder, stated, “People often don’t understand what counts as a mental health issue, and many are afraid to speak up for fear of being judged or getting it wrong. Through this campaign, we want to create an environment where young athletes feel supported and empowered to talk about their mental health.”
Inspired by Peloton's trainers like Ally Love and footballer Marcus Rashford, who openly talk about the importance of mental well-being, the campaign emphasizes the need for such content to be accessible to children. “Adults are getting access to that content, but our children are often not. This campaign aims to bridge that gap, leading to athletes enjoying sport more and reaching their full potential,” added Andrea.
The documentary features personal stories and insights from Olympic swimmers, psychiatrists, safeguarding consultants, and welfare officers. It aims to ask hard questions and shed light on the mental health challenges faced by young athletes. The documentary is available in a series of episodes, which can be accessed through this Episodes Playlist.
Sports clubs and individuals are encouraged to download the free "We care. Talk to us" banner artwork here and display it prominently to show their support for mental health awareness.
The campaign has already garnered significant attention, with over 9,000 views on YouTube and extensive media coverage. The family believes that by launching this campaign, they can make a substantial impact on the lives of young athletes and contribute to a more inclusive and understanding sporting community.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Andrea Brown at [email protected].
About the Campaign
The Mental Health Campaign for Competitive Swimmers & Youth Athletes was launched by Andrea, Jack, and India Brown. It aims to raise awareness about mental health issues among young athletes and provide resources and education to support their mental well-being.
