Everton in the Community (EitC) has thrown its weight behind a new mental programme in Trinidad and Tobago, offering expert support and advice to the initiative.
The Can Bou Play Foundation and Mindology Trinidad have teamed up to launch ‘Sport in Mind’, a programme which will focus on how mental health is approached in Trinidad and Tobago.
Sport in Mind will aim to use sport a tool to tackle various mental challenges and overcome the stigma attached to the mental health discussion.
EitC Health and Wellbeing Manager Johnnie Garside has been on hand to support the new programme. He has provided advice regarding how the Club’s official charity has delivered mental health specific sports programmes for more than a decade, as well as providing insight and best practice guidelines to help Can Bou Play and Mindology Trinidad formalise appropriate referral pathways for the new project.
Offering his thoughts on the new Sport in Mind programme, Garside said: “Mental illness is a global issue, so the need to share ideas and methods to help support those affected by it is of paramount importance.
“Therefore, the opportunity to help support the Can Bou Play Foundation develop and officially launch its new targeted mental health programme was something EitC was very keen to support. We look forward to continuing our relationship together.”
Sport in Mind will provide a safe and welcoming space for young people aged 15+ to participate in a multitude of sports with highly qualified technical coaches provided by the Can Bou Play Foundation. Sport in Mind particpants will also engage in one-to-one and group discussions, workshops and idea sharing spaces with a sports psychologist Alexandria Olton of Mindology Trinidad.
Trinidad and Tobago has the third highest suicide rate in the Carribbean region. Also, 21.5% of college students have admitted to feeling sad or hopeless almost every day and that they have stopped participating in their usual activities.
For more information on Sport in Mind visit https://www.canbouplayfoundation.com/cbp-mindology-launch-sport-in-mind
