MENTAL HEALTH
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Illustrations: Millie Chesters @milliechesters
gershonportnoipsychotherapy.com
Mental Health:
How to Check In on a Teammate Psychotherapist Gershon Portnoi reveals why talking openly with someone who may be feeling low might make a huge difference. If you've noticed that one of your
If you've ever had low mood periods
teammates is a bit quieter than usual,
yourself, you can also start by saying
or has been regularly avoiding the
exactly that. Your openness could help
post-match pint, there might be more
them to be more transparent.
during activity can be very helpful in helping us to talk and feel better. Finally, although many of us have refrained from physical contact during
going on than you realise. Sometimes,
It's important to be honest and not
the pandemic, if you can extend an
we might suspect that something is up
beat around the bush. If you're worried
arm around the shoulder or even a
with a friend or family member, but we
about your friend or teammate, then
warm hug (but ask first!), the benefits
don't quite know how to approach it,
make sure that's exactly what you say.
can be huge. There's stacks of scientif-
Another crucial element of any
ic research showing that physical con-
and often don't do anything at all. One of the hardest things any of us
conversation is to listen carefully,
tact releases mood-lifting, feel-good
can do is to ask someone if they're ok.
and don't necessarily try to prob-
hormones. TGP
Yet, ironically, it's also one of the most important things we can do to help stop a downward spiral becoming a full-blown mental health crisis. So, before you rush off to make your intervention, here are a few ideas to
"If instinctively you're concerned about a friend, there's probably a good reason for that"
think about first. Any significant and consistent change in mood or behaviour can be
lem-solve. The feeling of being heard
a tell-tale sign that all is not right with
can be transformational for someone
someone. If you're still unsure, trust
feeling down, especially if they don't
your gut. If instinctively you're con-
feel there are judgements coming
cerned about a friend, there's probably
back in their direction.
a good reason for that. The lower someone is feeling, the
It's also worth thinking about the when and where of your approach.
less likely they might be to seek help,
Walking off the pitch together covered
so your effort could make a huge differ-
in sweat and still breathing heavily is
ence. Never underestimate the impact
probably not the best time to strike up
you could make because for someone
this type of conversation.
not feeling great, another person taking
Inviting someone to go for a walk or
an interest in them can be a hugely
coffee is better as it will give you some
positive experience.
uninterrupted time together. And if you've
Once you're talking, it's key to ask
already started regular conversations
open questions. So “are you okay?” is
with someone, there's nothing wrong
To find out more about Gershon
not bad, but “I've noticed you've been
with being spontaneous and turning up
and his psychotherapy practice,visit
really quiet in the changing room re-
at their door to go for a run or bike ride.
gershonportnoipsychotherapy.com.
cently - what's going on?” is even better.
The endorphins released by the brain
