How sport improves the nations mental health
According to an article i have found, the effect of poor mental health has massively impacted the UK economy; it is said to cost them at least £117.9 billion annually.
This article relates to the United Nations 8th sustainable goal, which is 'Sustainable Economic Growth'. This relates to the article because it talks about the economy, and how much the NHS spends each year on mental health alone.
This article is credible, because it was written in March 2022 (currently November 2923), however there is no mention of the article being revisited by the author in a few years to keep the statistics up to date.
This source is linked to the PESTLE factor of economics, due to its nature of talking about the economy and how mental health has massively impacted it.
Another article from Mind I have discovered discusses the UK government and how 'little regard it has for mental health' They also say 'The long overdue Mental Health Bill is a chance to overhaul the way the system works when people are in a mental health crisis. It is an opportunity to address the deep racial injustices in the use of the Act, with Black people being four times more likely to be detained. It is also a crucial chance to prevent people being stripped of their dignity, voice and independence when they are sectioned. That chance has now been missed, and the UK government has broken its promise to thousands of people, their loved ones and the nation as a whole to reform the Act.'
The article also states that 'More than 50,000 people were held under the Mental Health Act last year, so it is incomprehensible that legislation which would help people at their most unwell has been de-prioritised.'
This article is highly credible because it was written on the 7th of November 2023, and it is currently the 28th of November 2023, making the article just 3 weeks old.
Personally I think this source partially relates to the United Nations 16th goal, which is peaceful and inclusive societies. This is because it touches on racism, which is the opposite of inclusive.
This article relates to two PESTLE factors; political and legal. It relates to political because it talks about the UK government and how little regard they have for the mental health of the UK. It also relates to legal because it discusses people being detained under the mental health act. It also touches on the social factor, due to its nature of discussing the fact that people of colour are 4 times more likely to be detained .
Sport can help improve factors such as self esteem and low confidence, both of which have significant impacts on an individuals mental health.
It can also give individuals a sense of belonging, therefore they do niot feel isolated, which again has a huge impact on somebodys mental wellbeing.
An article from Mind states that multiple studies have been done and that physical activity has shown to increase someone's mental wellbeing. They also say : 'It can help with better sleep, happier moods, and managing stress, anxiety, intrusive and racing thoughts.
This article relates to the PESTLE factor social. This is because the article talks about how playing sport and getting out there (social) can make a massive improvement on mental health.
Personally, I believe that this article is credible and reliable because it was published in October 2023 (currently November 2023) and it gets revisited every 3 years to keep it up to date
This article relates to the United Nations 4th sustainability goal, which is 'good health and well-being'. It relates to this goal because improving your mental health and taking part in sports is good for your health and well-being.
Getting involved in physical activity can have a positive effect on mental wellbeing
Individuals that take part in physical activity have demonstrated to improve mood, lower the chance of anxiety and depression, and have a more balanced lifestyle
Mental Health Awareness Month initially began in the US, it has now become a global movement, with countries across the globe taking the month of May to recognize the importance of mental health.
As social activities, sport can provide a sense of belonging and connection to others, which can help alleviate mental health issues. Engaging in sport allows individuals to interact with others who share similar interests and goals, which can create a sense of camaraderie and support.
To date, we’ve invested more than £8 million of exchequer and National Lottery funding in projects related to mental health.
Studies show that physical activity has a positive impact on our mood. One study asked people to rate their mood after a period of exercise (i.e. walking or gardening) and after inactivity (i.e. reading a book). Researchers found that people felt more awake, calmer and more content after physical activity.
Physical activity has a big impact on our self-esteem – that’s how we feel about ourselves and our perceived self-worth. This is a key indicator of mental wellbeing. People with improved self-esteem can cope better with stress and improve relationships with others.