Brave Mind

Another busy week for the Brave Mind delivery team, finishing our pilot student programme with Exeter College on Tuesday, a live Q&A panel with Microsoft & Nuffield Health with Tom Foley and mental health training with Exeter Chiefs Academy today respectively. Looking forward to continuing our partnerships soon! To top things off, we were honoured to be invited by our partners Canterbury to The British & Irish Lions jersey launch for Australia 2025. Thank you all and Happy Friday for tomorrow! Howden #BraveMind #Lions2025 #kickofftheconversation

A huge thank you to Microsoft and Nuffield Health for the invitation today, with special gratitude to Ellie Jeffries for making it all happen. We were truly honoured to be joined by Tom Foley, with our discussion expertly facilitated by our Lead Psychologist, Michael Roberts CPsychol. Our conversation touched on a range of meaningful topics, centring on mental health and the role of rugby. In a spirit of respect and openness, we discussed the importance of accepting mistakes and embracing imperfection, as well as the value of stepping back to gain perspective. We also delved into how developing cohesive teams is crucial - not just for performance but for the well-being of every member. This was a powerful conversation on breaking down stigma through rugby and exploring actionable strategies for individuals and teams to prioritise and promote positive mental health. #BraveMind #kickofftheconversation #weareallhuman

A great way to finish off a successful weekend - attending and speaking at the Kent County Rugby Football Union Ltd Well-being & Mental Health Workshop. Huge thanks to Alison Boyd for the invite, Beckenham Rugby Football Club for hosting and to Stephanie Faulkner-Smith for flying the Brave Mind flag. Looking forward to collaborating with Kent County Rugby Football Union Ltd and the wider community to empower, educate and support. #kickofftheconversation 🏉❤️ #BraveMind #collaboration

Well done to the Brave Mind Lions on the win 💚🎉🏅 On Friday night, the Brave Mind Lions took on Rosslyn Park Vets in a game that was about so much more than just rugby. Friends, family, and supporters came together from all over, uniting not just for the game, but in the shared mission to #KickOffTheConversation around mental health and suicide prevention. The evening was a testament to the strength of the community and the power we have when we come together for a greater cause. In 2022 in England and Wales, we lost an average of 15 people each day to suicide—a number that rose to 17 last year. These figures are a stark reminder of the silent battles many face and the importance of breaking down the stigma around mental health. It’s time we all recognise the signs, open up the conversation, and support one another on and off the field. Thank you to everyone who joined us—players, partners, spectators, and donors. A special thank you to Rosslyn Park for hosting us for this unforgettable evening. Together, we not only raised essential funds but helped spread awareness for mental health support and suicide prevention. Let’s keep the conversation going—every voice counts 💚 #BraveMind

🏉✨ Exciting Partnership Announcement! ✨🏉 We’re thrilled to announce that Brave Mind is partnering with the Exeter Chiefs Academy to bring mental health support to the forefront of the rugby community. Together, we’re working to ensure that coaches and academy staff are well-equipped to support young players in navigating the unique pressures they face in the elite sports environment. 💡 Key Focus Areas Include: • Spotting the signs • Understanding thresholds • Practical tools and techniques for support • Building confidence • Responding appropriately • Navigating local variations in practice • Signposting Rob Gibson, Academy Manager, says “The Academy takes great pride in helping the young men and women on and off the field and the lessons learned from the Brave Mind team will be hugely helpful in the support of the individuals within the pathway.” At Brave Mind, we’re committed to normalising mental health conversations in rugby, and this collaboration with Exeter Chiefs Academy is a huge step forward. Let’s keep the conversation going and #kickofftheconversation 💚 Good luck to the Exeter Chiefs today vs Harlequins - we’re looking forward to watching the game 🍀🏉 #BraveMind #ExeterChiefsAcademy #KickOffTheConversation

📅 Next Friday, 1st November, join us at The Rock, Rosslyn Park’s rugby ground, as the Brave Mind Lions take on Rosslyn Park FC in an exciting charity match – all in support to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention 🏉💚 🕕 Gates and bar open: 6:00 PM 🏉 Kick-off: 7:45 PM 🎟️ Ticket auction: 9:15 PM 📍Address: Priory Lane, London SW15 5JH This event is more than just a game, it’s about coming together to #KickOffTheConversation on mental health & suicide prevention. Please come down to support and help us continue the fight for mental health & suicide prevention. We can't wait to see you there! 💚 #BraveMind #RosslynPark

So, having last laced up a pair of rugby boots at least 10 years ago I have been tempted out of retirement to take part in a charity game for Rosslyn Park Football Club Vets against Brave Mind , a charity focused and passionate about improving the mental health of people in & connected to the rugby community. If any of my contacts wants to see that hilarious spectacle then we run out next Friday, 1 November at our ground in SW London. There is a voluntary £5 spectator donation which doesn’t seem fair when I’m paying £25 for the dubious honour of playing! Now to see if I can actually find my rugby boots….. If you can’t make it and still want to donate then the link is https://lnkd.in/e2ETHtFV Please reference RPFC Vets if you do.

We're excited to welcome Dan Martin to our Board of Trustees! Dan has been involved with Brave Mind from the start, making this a special moment. ❤️ Dan brings a wealth of experience in Sport & Exercise Psychology, holding a Professional Doctorate and being an HCPC-registered Practitioner Psychologist. Dan lectures at Newcastle University, serves as Sport Psychologist for the Goalball UK - NGB UK Performance Pathway Programme, and works as a private consultant. On his appointment, Dan said: "I have had the privilege of supporting Brave Mind since its launch, learning from and working with an incredible team of sport psychologists and passionate individuals to create and deliver programs aimed at fostering conversations and demystifying mental health within the rugby community. I am excited to continue supporting this excellent charity and to further contribute to the invaluable work that we do together." #BoardOfTrustees #SportPsychology #MentalHealth #BraveMind #RugbyCommunity #MentalHealthAwareness #Teamwork #ExercisePsychology #MentalHealthInRugby

🚀 Exciting news! We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Hartpury University and Hartpury College Together, we’ll launch tailored workshops to aid in normalising mental health conversations within the rugby community. Our journey will involve collaborating with students and staff to create a series of impactful sessions throughout the academic year. Tom Radcliffe, Director of Elite Sport – Hartpury University & College says: “We want to play a key part in promoting positive mental health for our students, student athletes and staff at Hartpury University & College. We want to work with Brave Mind to empower our students and staff to support themselves and each other across all of our sports.” Let’s break the stigma, #kickofftheconversation and support one another because mental health matters! 💪✨

Absolute pleasure Ben Parker thank you for the invite. I hope we helped the team, they were engaged and some great conversations kicked off! Hope we can support the Britvic plc retail team in 2025. Michael Roberts CPsychol Gemma Rowland Alex Davis