Photo Credit: Cricket Scotland
Cricket Scotland is today pleased to announce an extension of its partnership with Hampden Sports Clinic and the ‘Support Within Sport’ service during Mental Health Awareness Week.
The service was initially set up in 2016 alongside PFA Scotland to provide mental health support within football, and since then the programme has grown to include additional sports. Cricket Scotland will make access to the service available to all players and staff over the next year as part of a new agreement.
The Support Within Sport service provides access to an independent, confidential service via a phone line or specially created mobile application. Cricket Scotland players and staff who may be suffering from a mental health issue, or problems with alcohol or gambling can access the service, which is at no cost to the individual concerned.
Anyone contacting the service will be referred to an experienced doctor, who will seek to contact referred individuals within 24 hours of referral, provide initial support and agree a plan for the recommended intervention. The services offered range from phone advice, virtual assessments using zoom and Skype for now, medical support, clinical psychology, psychiatry, and counselling.
Dr Katy Stewart, from Hampden Sports Clinic, who runs the Support Within Sport programme said:
“We are delighted to renew our partnership with Cricket Scotland which underlines their commitment to ongoing mental health support.
“The Support Within Sport service provides confidential, quick access to experienced clinicians providing expert mental health support for both male and female players and staff in professional sport in Scotland.”
Dr Rajeev McCrea-Routray, Chief Medical Officer for Cricket Scotland, said:
“Maintaining and developing good mental health and well-being are key factors in any sports persons journey.
“We are delighted to continue working alongside Sport Scotland and partner with Hampden Sports Clinic and the ‘Support Within Sport’ team to provide confidential mental health support services for players and staff. “
The Support Within Sport service welcomes referrals from staff and players via the specialist phone number: 07702 565916
or via email: mentalhealth@hampdensportsclinic.com
The service can also be contacted via this survey monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VNFG68D
There is also a Specialist Mobile Application (App) available.
Urgent referrals, requiring immediate medical input, should be referred to NHS 24 as at present.
Cricket Scotland, formerly the Scottish Cricket Union, is the governing body for cricket in Scotland, based at the National Cricket Academy in Edinburgh. Established in 1908 and restructured in 2001, it became an ICC Associate Member in 1994. The organization includes three sub-associations: the East of Scotland Cricket Association, Western District Cricket Union, and Aberdeenshire Cricket Association.
