We Are Here

We’re delighted to see sportscotland and our partners SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) launching their We’re here campaign, encouraging many different sports to highlight the mental, as well as physical, benefits of being active. The initiative was also an opportunity to remind people that, while the lockdown situation might be unusual, the sporting community was still there to support one another. Eagle-eyed readers might also spot that it has grown out of jogscotland’s own I’m here campaign. Launched 18 months ago, I’m here has seen more than 700 jog leaders taking online mental health awareness training, and wearing the pink I’m here badge to demonstrate to their members that they’re happy to chat about mental health and wellbeing.

The same spirit of openness and mutual support is behind We’re here – along with the same graphic theme, with a little change of colour and words to the logo!

Colin Hutchison, scottishathletics head of development, said: “The I’m here movement created by jogscotland and SAMH has had an incredible impact on our jogging groups. Over the last three years we’ve seen first-hand the significant impact physical activity can have on mental health through our partnership with SAMH. “Their knowledge and experience has been invaluable to help us understand how we can best work with our networks to support people at all levels in athletics and running.

“On the back of the incredible success we’ve had with I’m here, we have always been keen to support SAMH to encourage other governing bodies and sports organisations to get involved. We are delighted to now be supporting the #WeAreHere campaign promoted by sportscotland and SAMH.

“The #WeAreHere message is more powerful now than ever before and helps promote the positive impact physical activity can have in helping people manage their mental health.” Read more: https://sportfirst.sportscotland.org.uk/articles/were-here-for-you/