Read this anonymous story about how joining a sports club during a difficult time helped our Team UOP member find support, build friendships, and regain their confidence.
Our Sporting Minds campaign is running throughout the entire month of March 2025. This campaign aims to raise awareness of mental health issues through sharing stories from members of our Sports Clubs. These stories are honest, open, and extremely helpful, showing readers that they are not alone in their struggles and giving examples of healthy coping mechanisms and outlets for dealing with complex feelings. We hope that this campaign inspires conversations between you, your friends, family, and teammates. We have also supplied several resources below.
Tell us about yourself and your story
Halfway through my second year, I experienced a super tough breakup, I felt the lowest and loneliest I had ever felt in my life. Around the same time though I had signed up for the development squad of my favourite sport. Rather than letting my feelings get the better of me I pushed myself every week to go to the training sessions. Now I look forward to playing with my teammates every week and I even play an important part in the club as a whole as a committee member!
How has sport/exercise helped you with your wellbeing, perhaps academically and socially?
With a lot of personal negative emotions around the time I joined the club, it was great to come to the development and play sessions every week and be surrounded by people who all share the same interests as you and who are all there for the same reason. It really took my mind off my emotions when I needed it and getting involved made me some great friends.
What advice would you give to other students concerning wellbeing?
If you ever find yourself in a hole, there are always people who will help you out - you just have to let them know. It's never selfish to seek and ask for help.
Sporting Wellness
Sporting Wellness (previously Sporting Minds) is a charity dedicated to helping athletes stay strong mentally and perform at their best. They focus on the mindset side of sports, offering support with things like confidence, focus, handling pressure, and staying motivated. Whether you're struggling with nerves before a big game or just want to sharpen your mental game, they provide practical tools and techniques to help. From one-on-one coaching to group workshops—Sporting Wellness is there to make sure athletes have the mental strength to match their physical skills.
Sporting Wellness is a learning, sharing, and networking platform that was created to:
- Provide convenient and relevant access to people, ideas, practices, and innovations.
- Connect those who are serious about progress and passionate about their work.
- Build a community that is open to challenge and promotes consistent action.
Resources and Support
If this story resonates with you or someone you know, remember that support is available. You are not alone, and there are people and resources ready to help.
- Sporting Wellness – Free professional mental health support for sportspeople aged over 16 in the UK.
- Sport in Mind – A UK-based charity offering free sports and physical activity sessions to improve mental well-being.
- Samaritans – 24/7 support for anyone in distress (Call 116 123).
- NHS 111 – In a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 to speak with trained professionals.
Let’s continue to support each other, create safe spaces for open discussions, and celebrate the strength found in both vulnerability and resilience.
If you need some support with your mental health at this time, the student wellbeing service has many resources to help.