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Club's Lead Psychologist talks importance of World Mental Health Day

2024-10-10T09:00:00.000Z

CLARETS SUPPORT WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Club's Lead Psychologist talks importance of World Mental Health Day

2024-10-10T09:00:00.000Z

Club's Lead Psychologist talks importance of World Mental Health Day

Thursday 10th October is World Mental Health Day and the theme this year is 'it is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.’

Burnley Football Club have been working hard in this area with the launch of a Clarets HELP mental health/wellbeing framework, increased sessions on the topic, and the formation of a Working Group with representation from across the Club, Academy and Community.

Playing a key role in driving this work forward is Professor of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology Ian James who sits down to talk the Club’s Mental Skills Team and supporting club staff and players with their mental wellbeing.

“After 12 years of training and three degrees, I qualified as a clinical psychologist in the early 1990s. Up until three years ago I worked full-time in the NHS as a clinician, researcher, and teacher. I ran a number of departments and became a national lead in Older People’s services. I still work part-time in the NHS and spend the rest of the time working as a Consultant at Burnley FC.”

So, what does his role at the Club look like day-to-day?

“Prior to commencing work at Burnley, I was running clinics for athletes, working closely with the physiotherapy team at Newcastle United Football Club.

“I started to work with the Burnley medical team over the Covid period (2021) and began working directly with the Club in Burnley’s Championship winning season of 2022/2023.

“In my day-to-day work, I’m mental health lead for the players (first team, women, and academy), coaches and staff at Turf Moor. I also look after the staff in the charity, Burnley FC in the Community. I act as the lead psychologist, supervising the two sports psychologists.”

How much more emphasis does Ian think is placed on mental health within football now, compared to in previous years? Does he find it plays a bigger part in the players’ support system?

“Mental health and wellbeing are certainly treated more seriously than previously, in part as a consequence of the difficulties surfacing since the pandemic. This is very important because research informs us that there are increasing rates of mental health issues arising, particularly in younger people. The reasons are not completely clear but may relate to overuse of social media.”

With such worrying trends emerging, how important are campaigns such as World Mental Health Day to raise awareness?

“Mental health day is helpful because it is a reminder for us to take stock of how we are feeling emotionally. It gives us an opportunity to ask ourselves whether we are meeting our own needs - feeling safe, in control, being respected - and whether we are currently living up to our values e.g. spending quality time with those we love and respect.

“It is also worth remembering that it is ‘World’ Mental Health Day, which emphasises the need to think about the plight of the many children, women and men who are struggling physically and psychologically in conflicts across the globe.”