Rock climbing to help people suffering with mental health issues
- 06 Jan
One woman has set up a community group for women with physical and mental health issues through the use of rock climbing.
Christine Belk, founder of Vertigirls, formed the group in 2008 after she discovered how the sport helped her manage her own mental health issues whilst also improving her quality of life. Based in Brighton the group began with seven members, however it now caters for more than 50 women through climbing courses and indoor/outdoor trips across the country.
Ms Belk was recently awarded the Volunteer of the Year award at Brighton and Hove City Council's City Sport and Physical Activity Awards, reports The Argus.
Christine said: "I started the group because climbing was really helping me manage my own issues. I wanted to share it with other women.
"Initially a Can Do grant from the Scarman trust enabled Vertigirls to run free women only climbing courses at the Rock Court indoor climbing wall in Brighton. Thanks to further grants over the years from Grassroots, Sussex Giving, Brighton and Hove City Council, Sport England and the British Mountaineering Council, we now have more than 50 members and run clubs with an average of 25 people each time. They learn to climb, they gain confidence in themselves, trust in others, go to inspiringly beautiful places in the UK, make new friends, get support and encouragement from their peers, a sense of belonging, courage to face new challenges, less isolation and the beauty of being in the moment."
Since 2008 she has only taken a six-month break from the project due to her own mental health issues. She believes that the topic of mental health is still a "huge" taboo topic, however believes Brighton and Hove is more aware and open minded to it due to its array of support services.
Christine added: "We need to continue to invest in both services to support those with problems and ways of stamping out stigma and prejudice. One in four will have a mental health problem at some point in their life and they need to have help from the NHS available to support them and compassion from their friends, families and colleagues."
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
Image source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1116786
Related articles
- 11 Sep
People in Bedfordshire can find mental health support through an audio guide
The guides have been written by clinical psychologists and are available to download in print or listen to as an audio file, reports Bedfordshire News.Dr Judy Baxter, Clinical Director with BCCG and...
- 10 Sep
Police officers in Dorset to receive mental health training
The partnership with the University comes as part of the county’s Mental Health Street Triage Project. It is hoped to equip officers with improved knowledge and skills to assess members of the...
- 09 Sep
People in Peterborough can refer themselves for mental health services
Through a drive to offer support to more people and ease pressure on doctors, people living in Peterborough can self-refer themselves to mental health services, reports Peterborough Today.Dr Adrian...
- 08 Sep
The first mental health centre for men
The site has been set up by Alex Eaton, whose dad took his own life and has suffered with mental health problems himself, in Burton upon Trent, reports BBC Newsbeat.Mr Eaton said: "We are the only...
- 07 Sep
NHS trust told no mental health beds available
Dr Bohdan Solomka has said that on Sunday a lack of beds were applied across the NHS and among private providers, reports the BBC. The director of the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trusts...
- 07 Sep
Over 16,000 mental health referrals for young people have been rejected
Between July last year and June this year, data from the NHS has found that Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services rejected 5,396 referrals, reports STV News.Over the last three years 16,565...
- 04 Sep
New mental health centre to open in Ardwick
Plans to build a new £6m treatment and recovery centre in Manchester have been revealed. It will be built in Ardwick and be run by Alternative Futures Group, reports the Manchester Evening...
- 03 Sep
Research finds more chance of re-offending if mental health issues are present
Research has found that ex-prisoners with mental health problems and drug and alcohol misuse are more likely to commit violent offences after release than other former prisoners, reports the...
- 02 Sep
Drop in the number of people with mental health issues held in cells
Recent figures have found that the Crisis Care Concordat has seen over 10,000 people receive care from mental health nurses with the support from police officers, reports the Burton Mail.Figures have...
- 02 Sep
Mental health social work scheme accepting applications
100 places are now available for applicants who have a 2:1 or above undergraduate degree and can demonstrate attributes such as resilience and empathy, reports Community Care.The Think Ahead...
Support Solutions 5th National Housing Support & Social Care Conference 2014 The conference tackled todays issues at provider level, and provided knowledgeable people to present the workshops. A.L - Caraston Hall
