Sport reaction to the problem of mental health

On World Mental Health Day, we take a look at the way sport is dealing with an increasingly important issue.

High-profile stories regarding England cricketers Marcus Trescothick and Jonathan Trott brought depression and stress into the spotlight in recent years, and many other sports are also working with players who are struggling with problems.

Trott was forced to leave last winter's Ashes tour and also spent time away from the sport earlier this summer because of a stress-related condition.

Former England footballer Lee Hendrie will be on Sky Sports News HQ's The Morning View from 10am on Friday to talk about his own struggles.

But here is just a snapshot of the way some sports are dealing with the issues of mental health.

Professional Cricketers Association boss Angus Porter outlined the reaction his sport has had to cases including those involving Trescothick and Trott.

He said: "(We have) a series of on-line tutorials on subjects including anxiety, depression and addiction, featuring contributions from Marcus Trescothick, Tim Ambrose, Michael Yardy, Graeme Fowler and other players (and their relatives) who have been willing to share their experiences. These tutorials are badged "Mind Matters", and can be found on our website.

"(There is) one-to-one support from our team of six Personal Development Managers (PDMs), who provide players with support on a wide range of issues, and are able to point them towards specialist support when necessary.

"One current initiative undertaken by the PDMs in conjunction with LPP Consulting (more on them below) is a series of resilience workshops with County squads, which are designed to help players manage stress effectively, and spot the warning signs which indicate medical help may be necessary.

"Advice and therapy, supplied by LPP Consulting, who are our partners in this work, and provide access to a national network of specialists. This help can be accessed by any past or current player, or their immediate families, most commonly via a confidential helpline. All these services are free for members and their families.

"We also work closely with other Player Associations and mental health charities to encourage and promote good practice."

RPA communications manager Patrick Giffney outlined rugby's services: "All our members have access to a 24 hour confidential counselling service that is there to help with a wide range of issues, including mental health.

"We have also delivered a mental health seminar to clubs and this is an ongoing process that will continue into 2015.

"If players feel they need someone to talk to they can approach their RPA Player Development Manager (PDM) who will then point them in the direction of the counselling service."

Rugby Football League welfare director Emma Rosewarne said: "The RFL has a relationship with Sporting Chance whose services (clinic for residential stay and/or counselling) are available (fully funded by the RFL) to all professional players (current and retired).

"Every Super League first team squad has now had two presentations (2013 and 2014) from Sporting Chance explaining the help that is available from them for depression, anxiety, bereavement and/or addiction.

"The RFL made it compulsory for every club to have the State of Mind workshop delivered to their players."

A statement from the Lawn Tennis Association read: "The LTA employs a Performance Lifestyle Advisor who provides mental health, emotional well-being and welfare support to current players and recently retired players.

"A referral process is also in place, overseen by the LTA's Chief Medial Adviser, through which players can get specialist external support and treatment for mental health issues should they need it."

And the European Tour explained how it looks after the continent's golfers: "As with most sporting bodies, the European Tour takes this side of its responsibility very seriously towards our membership.

"To that end, we set up a free Confidential Helpline earlier this year for any player or caddie who may feel they have something they want to talk to a professional counsellor about."