Challenge
The ‘Lifting the Decks’ Challenge
T
he next Corps wide virtual event that Regimental Headquarters have planned is Octobers ‘Lifting the Decks Challenge’ which is linked to our Mental Health Plan. A big focus of the plan is to promote the importance of partaking in regular activity known to be conducive to increasing self-esteem, reducing stress and lowering anxiety. Physical training is just one aspect of this, well known for playing an important role in the Army’s fight against poor MH. We’ve also fired in a reading challenge, as research confirms that picking up a book can reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing. Unsurprisingly, increased alcohol consumption works the other way and can exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety, making stress tougher to deal with. All these factors have informed the events that make up October’s challenge. It’s cheeky, but you’ll see there is something for everyone. The ‘Lifting the Decks Challenge’ represents another important opportunity for us to raise awareness of our community mental health plan. It is free to enter, will comprise of seven individual challenges and is open to all serving and former members of our Corps. Any Officer or Soldier who enters will have to achieve four out of seven tasks listed below to be awarded a completely free – and great quality - ‘Lifting the Decks Challenge’ T Shirt (pictured below). REME veterans can purchase at cost price. The seven tasks include: 1. Running 100 km 2. Cycling or spinning 250 km 3. Tabbing 50 km 4. Reading at least one book 5. Lifting 40,000 kg 6. Swimming 1250 m 7. Taking zero alcohol on board for the whole month. We believe that the variety of challenges – based around activity we know to be conducive to positive Mental Health – will allow for broad participation. It’s shaping up to be another great Esprit de Corps event and a real opportunity to get out and enjoy yourself with friends, family or colleagues. Why not challenge yourself and your mates and help us increase visibility of ‘Lifting the Decks’. Anyone who has read the Craftsman Magazine over the last few months will be aware of the underpinning reason for creating ‘Lifting the Decks’. It’s a Plan and a set of tools designed to support OP SMART, REME Commanders and Welfare Depts. Please remember that, ‘If OPSMART is the science, ‘Lifting the Decks’ is the art that applies
it to our tribe and culture’. It’s a community initiative with information and products designed to be easily accessible on RHQ’s Share-point. The page, information and products are being moved across to REME Connect iteratively during September. As an RHQ, we want to lead on breaking the stigma of poor MH across our Corp but ‘Lifting the Decks’ also wants to get after some of the causal factors. The REME Charity has recently offset regional and Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) delays to get some of our most vulnerable soldiers in front of MH professionals and counselling - something we have been reticent to advocate in the past. I have also seen the power in providing respite breaks. The stressors of bereavement, divorce, separation, debt and their relationship with poor MH has meant that life has been hard for some of our people. These respite breaks might just be the difference in being able to carry on and cope for some. I thank those Welfare Officers and OC’s who pushed me to support. If you have someone in your Battalion, Workshop or LAD who could do with one – engage with me. There will be more to follow over the coming months as we continue to work hand in hand with the REME Charity to support our people. In the meantime, get yourself registered and get your team involved. Thanks for everything you are doing and keep looking after each other. Arte et Marte. QR Code to register WO1 (Corps ASM) Dan McNeill
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