We’re facing an escalation in the prevalence of mental health challenges right across the population. According to Mind, the mental health charity, twenty five per cent of adults experience some kind of mental health crisis each year, while ten per cent of school-aged children are in need of support for mental-health related issues.
Care is in short supply. Mind says the average wait time of treatment for children is 10 years, meaning 75 per cent of children and their families are living without the professional support they need to either resolve their issues or find more positive ways to manage them.
Given 75 per cent of mental illness starts before the age of 15, the situation is serious and deteriorating.
But knowing we have a problem is only the start and, for many people, being aware of how to get help and then having it available in the form of a useable and accessible service is the biggest challenge.
In a new development – announced this month – sport and fitness operator Sheffield International Venues (SIV), has recognised this need and has struck a new partnership with health and wellbeing provider Westfield Health for the provision of mental health services for members.
Dave Capper, Westfield Health CEO, told Leisure Management that getting access to support is a major barrier for many, saying: “Research we conducted found that 30 per cent of people felt unsure about who to talk to or where to go to find help or support regarding mental health issues. In addition, 40 per cent of people find it hard to talk about their mental health to anyone.”
SIV and Westfield Health – both non-profit organisations – have created an “access all areas”, combined mental health support and gym membership, which is now available at seven of SIV’s Fitness venues.
The service offers 24/7 telephone counselling, as well as access to a GP over the phone and the opportunity to use the ‘Big White Wall’ – an online mental health and wellbeing service that provides self-help programmes, creative outlets and anonymous online therapy.
Combining mental health support with a gym membership is a great way to break down barriers and make support for those with mental health challenges accessible in a very practical, day-to-day way.
It may not solve the issues surrounding children’s mental health, but it will enable people of gym-going age – often 16-years plus – to have access to support and this is clearly a very big step in the right direction.
Mental health has been the missing piece of the wellness jigsaw puzzle and given how powerfully exercise can boost mood, bringing mental health services alongside gym membership makes perfect sense.
We must promote the view that maintaining mental health is as important as caring for physical health and ensure people have the tools to be able to care for both.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
We’re facing an escalation in the prevalence of mental health challenges right across the population. According to Mind, the mental health charity, twenty five per cent of adults experience some kind of mental health crisis each year, while ten per cent of school-aged children are in need of support for mental-health related issues.
Care is in short supply. Mind says the average wait time of treatment for children is 10 years, meaning 75 per cent of children and their families are living without the professional support they need to either resolve their issues or find more positive ways to manage them.
Given 75 per cent of mental illness starts before the age of 15, the situation is serious and deteriorating.
But knowing we have a problem is only the start and, for many people, being aware of how to get help and then having it available in the form of a useable and accessible service is the biggest challenge.
In a new development – announced this month – sport and fitness operator Sheffield International Venues (SIV), has recognised this need and has struck a new partnership with health and wellbeing provider Westfield Health for the provision of mental health services for members.
Dave Capper, Westfield Health CEO, told Leisure Management that getting access to support is a major barrier for many, saying: “Research we conducted found that 30 per cent of people felt unsure about who to talk to or where to go to find help or support regarding mental health issues. In addition, 40 per cent of people find it hard to talk about their mental health to anyone.”
SIV and Westfield Health – both non-profit organisations – have created an “access all areas”, combined mental health support and gym membership, which is now available at seven of SIV’s Fitness venues.
The service offers 24/7 telephone counselling, as well as access to a GP over the phone and the opportunity to use the ‘Big White Wall’ – an online mental health and wellbeing service that provides self-help programmes, creative outlets and anonymous online therapy.
Combining mental health support with a gym membership is a great way to break down barriers and make support for those with mental health challenges accessible in a very practical, day-to-day way.
It may not solve the issues surrounding children’s mental health, but it will enable people of gym-going age – often 16-years plus – to have access to support and this is clearly a very big step in the right direction.
Mental health has been the missing piece of the wellness jigsaw puzzle and given how powerfully exercise can boost mood, bringing mental health services alongside gym membership makes perfect sense.
We must promote the view that maintaining mental health is as important as caring for physical health and ensure people have the tools to be able to care for both.
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle
Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at
the 16th World Firefighters Games.
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough
to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next.
Wattbike has announced a new integration with EGYM, which enables the bikes to contribute to
the Cardio BioAge score of individuals via a VO2 max result.
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional
reformer movements and more contemporary exercises, choreographed to music.
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes
of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and leisure
destination on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international
portfolio, with the first launch planned for Dublin in 2027.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
