Player Welfare

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Biggar RFC is committed to protecting and ensuring safety of its players at all age groups. It is the responsibility of those who coach or teach the game to ensure that players are prepared in a manner which ensures safe practices. it is also the responsibility of players to ensure that they participate in a manner which complies with the laws of the game and is safe and responsible.

For all information on Scottish rugby’s player welfare policies click below

Physio Team – Alison Orr and Jennifer Hewitt

We also have 2 fully qualified physios based at Biggar RFC that have served the club for the past few seasons. Both Alison and Jennifer are available to all members of the club and are down at Hartree on Tuesday and Thursday evening from around 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Mental Health

The month of May is famed for focusing on Mental Health. The following information is designed to help and support everyone in what is now a very well recognised issue within society.

Basically of course we all have ‘mental health’ in exactly the same way as we all have ‘physical health’.

While we may mostly enjoy good physical health, there are times when we suffer from illness (colds, flu, injury, muscle/joint soreness etc) and similarly, while we may mostly enjoy good mental health there are times when we suffer from ‘illness’ (irritability, depression, frustration, anxiety etc).

Of coursepoorphysical health is often much easier to identify than poor mental health; a bandage or a limp indicates a problem almost immediately whereas the reasons behind someone suffering from poor mental health might not be as obvious – though potentially far more concerning and overwhelming.

The information below might be of use.

And please, have a look at the SRU e-learning course by following this link.

https://www.scottishrugby.org/rules-and-regulations/player-welfare/medical/mental-wellbeing

It’ll take around half an hour to complete and then you will have taken a first step to aid your understanding (you can also donwload a glossy certificate to confirm your course!). Once you’ve completed the course could I please ask that you reply by email to let me know – it would be interesting to see how many members we can attract.

From a Biggar RFC standpoint, getting back down to Hartree Mill and back into rugby will be a massive boost for us all: members, supporters, coaches, staff and principally our players, young and old, who have really lost out this past year.

Missing games is the tip of the ice-berg. The social aspect of meeting up, the dressing room camaraderie which comes from being with your pals, training together, learning about each other, developing social skills, practical skills, developing fitness and game time are all part and parcel of club life and their value cannot be underestimated. Particularly for those who have a myriad other challenges in this fast-paced, media-driven world.

Health and Wellbeing is a massive talking point at the moment and rightly so. The excellent documentary by Roman Kemp shown back in March

(https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p098hsv6/roman-kemp-our-silent-emergency)

highlighted the very difficult position many face, not only during this current pandemic but more generally in growing up and living.

Two of our former players, internationalists Fraser Brown and Rory Sutherland have both had to face up to the mental challenges posed by spending lengthy periods on the sidelines recovering from injuries. Both have struggled with their mental health and are now endorsing the need for everyone to be more aware of the potential difficulties players face, Fraser through RSABI and Rory through the e-learning course launched recently by the SRU. Follow this link:

https://www.scottishrugby.org/clubs-and-schools/training-and-education/all-courses-and-resources/mental-wellbeing-e-learning-course

So basically, Mental Health, good or bad, is among us all and will affect us all at some point.

As individuals and as a club we all have a role to play in helping each other. The SRU e-learning course seeks to raise awareness about mental health, how to recognise it and how to break the negative stigmas which abound.

We would recommend this course to you as a very good starting point for anyone interested in being of assistance to their children, friends and family. It takes around 30 minutes to complete.

So….Mental Health…..

As explained, it’s not always easy to spot. We all have our ‘off’ days, when we struggle to concentrate, find tasks more challenging than usual and when we are prone to making simple errors or forgetting things. There are many reasons for this and not all fall into the category of ‘mental health’.

A prolonged period feeling like this could well be an indication of someone who is struggling with their mental health however and the following are warning signs:

  • Excessive paranoia, worry, or anxiety.
  • Long-lasting sadness or irritability.
  • Extreme changes in moods.
  • Social withdrawal.
  • Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping pattern.

What are the 4 types of mental health?

Types of mental illness

  • mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder)
  • anxiety disorders.
  • personality disorders.
  • psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
  • eating disorders.
  • trauma-related disorders (such as post-traumatic stress disorder) substance abuse disorders.

What can we do to help someone who we think might be struggling?

Asking twice is a good start.

How are you?’ is our standard greeting. But asking and then ignoring or glossing over the answer is the most common response. Most folks won’t embark on an explanation of a series of issues which are bothering them and most of us are too busy to really listen and don’t want ot hear of someone else’s travails because, lets face it, we’ve too much to worry about for ourselves!

But that’s all wrong!Most of us are probably happy and able to move on and discuss the weather, but if there is someone who you believe may be having it tough, then ask again…

How are you?

(pause for a moment and then ask again)

No, but how are you, really?’

This second (repeated) question might be enough to get that person to open up, even just a little, to give an insight into how they are really feeling.

It’s unlikely that you are going to be able to solve their issues but talking and listening will help show your support and indicate that you do care. A problem shared!…..most people want to feel heard, especially when they are struggling with difficult emotions or experiences that might make them feel very alone.

What can be done to alleviate mental health symptoms?

The following are just 10 simple ideas which might seem obvious to us but might be less obvious to someone who is struggling. Encourage them – or try these yourself:

1. Talk about your feelings

Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled

2. Keep active

Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, and feel better. Exercise keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy, and is also a significant benefit towards improving your mental health.

3. Eat well

Your brain needs a mix of nutrients in order to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body. A diet that’s good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.

4. Drink sensibly

We often drink alcohol to change our mood. Some people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the effect is only temporary.

When the drink wears off, you feel worse because of the way the alcohol has affected your brain and the rest of your body. Drinking is not a good way to manage difficult feelings.

5. Keep in touch

There’s nothing better than catching up with someone face to face, but that’s not always possible. You can also give them a call, drop them a note, or chat to them online instead. Keep the lines of communication open: it’s good for you!

6. Ask for help

None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things don’t go to plan.

If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help. Your family or friends may be able to offer practical help or a listening ear.

Local services are there to help you.

7. Take a break

A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health.

It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work, or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you. Give yourself some ‘me time’.

8. Do something you’re good at

What do you love doing? What activities can you lose yourself in? What did you love doing in the past?

Enjoying yourself can help beat stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it, and achieving something boosts your self-esteem

9. Accept who you are

We’re all different. It’s much healthier to accept that you’re unique than to wish you were more like someone else. Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence to learn new skills, visit new places and make new friends. Good self-esteem helps you cope when life takes a difficult turn.

10. Care for others

‘Friends are really important… We help each other whenever we can, so it’s a two-way street, and supporting them uplifts me.’

Caring for others is often an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together.

It would be silly to think that someone will cease to have problems if they adopt one, or even all of these, but it might help! We can all help!

Remember: Biggar RFC: One Club, One Family

And please, once again, if you haven’t already done so have a look at the SRU e-learning course by following this link.

https://www.scottishrugby.org/rules-and-regulations/player-welfare/medical/mental-wellbeing

It’ll take around half an hour to complete and then you will have taken a first step to aid your understanding (you can also donwload a glossy certificate to confirm your course!). Once you’ve completed the course could I please ask that you reply by email to let me know – it would be interesting to see how many members we can attract.

There are a whole host of support groups and help lines available to anyone who is seeking help. The following sites are worth a look with the last, operated by Biggar Community Action Group a locally based organisation.

RSABI (The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benelovent Institution): https://www.rsabi.org.uk/How-RSABI-Can-Help

NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/nhs-voluntary-charity-services/charity-and-voluntary-services/get-help-from-mental-health-helplines/

Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/getting-help

Scottish Association of Mental Health: https://www.samh.org.uk/

Biggar Community Action Group Listening Ear: https://biggarcag.weebly.com/our-projects.html

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