A number of clubs across Devon are proactively looking to create open and welcoming environments in an effort to promote mental health and wellbeing.
Clubs across the county have been carrying out a number of initiatives this year with the aim of fostering supportive environments and reducing stigma around mental health.
Content warning: this post discusses suicide and suicidal feelings.
For links to available mental health support in Devon, please visit devonmind.com.
Ashburton CC
Ashburton CC are making great strides in promoting mental health and wellbeing through a range of initiatives at the club.
Working alongside Opening Up Cricket, the club have taken a proactive approach by setting up a dedicated subcommittee, which includes senior club figures, to ensure mental health is given the attention it deserves. With the support of Opening Up Cricket, the club have drawn up an action plan to make mental health resources more accessible to all members.
A key element of the plan has been to reach out to and signpost mental health organisations such as Andy's Man Club, YoungMinds and Action for Happiness. Rather than simply putting up flyers across the clubhouse, the club have creatively introduced a 'club supporter' programme where, each fortnight, matches are used to champion different mental health organisations, showcasing their work across all of the club's social media platforms.
Marcus West, Junior Coordinator at Ashburton CC, who has himself struggled with mental health, explained that the gradual wearing down of people's resilience, more noticeably since Covid-19, has inspired the club's focus on mental health. "We've seen people's mental wellbeing worn down over time," he shared, "and in some cases, it's hard to see the signs until it's too late."
Marcus praised Action for Happiness for offering small daily steps to improve positivity, which the club have circulated via WhatsApp and social media.
Ashburton CC's initiatives are not limited to just the club's players but extend to everyone associated with the club. They have made resources, such as Zero Suicide training, easily available and plan to hold further mental health events in the future, ensuring their efforts become a lasting part of the club culture.
Regarding their partnership with Ashburton CC, an Opening Up Cricket statement said:
"We are glad to have been able to support Ashburton CC in developing a mental health plan for their club.
"In using cricket to help their members develop their wellbeing, they are showing how powerful our sport can be as a positive force for those involved."
Bridestowe CC
Much like Ashburton CC, Bridestowe CC have also taken proactive steps in addressing mental health, also in collaboration with Opening Up Cricket, following the tragic passing of one of their beloved members, Gary Sizmur. Gary's passing has been devastating for everyone, but as a tight-knit community club, Bridestowe CC are keen to ensure it is not a taboo subject.
In collaboration with Okehampton and North Tawton rugby clubs, Bridestowe CC have held memorial rugby and softball cricket matches in Gary's name. The club have also commissioned memorials, including a framed shirt and a bench made from cricket bats, serving both as tributes to Gary and as physical reminders to stay vigilant about the mental wellbeing of its members. The club also managed to raise over £3,000 for mental health charities through local support during last year's Movember.
The driving force behind these initiatives is to prevent another loss like Gary's. While he was an outwardly successful cricketer, friend, and family man, few knew of the inner battles he fought. Charles Ewen, a close friend of Gary's, reflects:
"Gary was anything but isolated, at least outwardly. What none of us knew was the battle that he had in recent years with mental health and his overwhelming need to succeed.
"I don’t know what would have saved Gary, maybe nothing would have done, but one thing that might have made a difference was getting beyond the rational and talking about feelings rather than facts."
Bridestowe CC are now looking to foster an environment where mental health is openly discussed, encouraging members to share their feelings without fear of judgment. Through community events, memorials, and ongoing support, the club hopes to honour Gary’s legacy by making mental health a priority for all its players.
In a message that emphasises the importance of open dialogue and emotional vulnerability within the club, especially among young men often expected to be "robust and resilient", Charles says:
"Be kind, and be that someone that is happy to have a ‘feeling’ conversation and if you have your own demons please do talk about them, however irrational they seem to be. The next time that someone says; 'how are you', maybe the answer isn’t, 'fine'."
Budleigh Salterton CC
The passing of former England batter Graham Thorpe has prompted Budleigh Salterton CC to look to remove the stigma around mental health.
Volunteers at the club are hosting and taking part in a Dawn Walk, a series of events running across the UK in aid of Samaritans.
The club are welcoming others to join them on Saturday, October 12 in the 5k route starting from the clubhouse, The Holt, at 7am as a sign of solidarity with those facing mental health struggles and to raise vital funds to help the charity.
The event is part of a drive by the club to encourage conversations about mental health and to create a spirit of mutual support within the club and the wider community.
Thorpe's family revealed that the former England batter, regarded as one of the finest of his generation, took his own life aged 55 after suffering from depression and anxiety.
Speaking on the initiative, Budleigh Salterton CC volunteer, Emma Cooling said:
"It is really important for us that our club is a place where everyone feels safe and accepted, where it's ok to talk about your feelings and any struggles, or just to be lifted and reassured by the company of others if you don’t feel like talking.
"Unfortunately, there is still stigma around mental health conversations, particularly among men. Plans are in the pipeline for more events at the club to help raise awareness of the private battles many people face – the Dawn Walk is the first step for us.
"We'd love as many people as possible to join us on this walk, to watch the sun come up along the route, to stand together with anyone struggling and to help raise money for the Samaritans so that there is always someone available to listen."
Anyone interested in taking part in the Dawn Walk, a flat and easy 5k route starting and finishing at the club, can mark themselves as attending on the club's Facebook event or call 07702 213949. Alternatively, the team can be sponsored on Samaritans' website.
The club are also hosting a Comrades' Curry Club on October 10, using the clubhouse to provide a casual, friendly and supportive setting for men to catch up and open up if needed, or just to enjoy company now that the season is over and the days grow shorter.
Are you interested in becoming part of a wider network of people at clubs championing mental health initiatives in Devon? Please get in touch at info@devoncricket.co.uk.
