State of Mind round to take place in June

Drew Darbyshire

State of Mind’s annual round of Super League fixtures will take place midway through June.

This year’s theme is Offload, which links to the men’s mental fitness and wellbeing project run by Rugby League Cares in partnership with State of Mind and the club foundations at Super League clubs.

Offload helps challenge how the sporting world tackles issues like depression and anxiety and consists of a 10-week season to help men build their own mental fitness, while having fun in a relaxed atmosphere and develop coping strategies to challenge difficult situations and learn how to recognise when people close to them may need their support.

The fixtures will take place in Round 18 over the weekend of June 14-17.

Co-founder and trustee of State of Mind Dr Phil Cooper said: “The State of Mind-Offload round is coming to Super League for the eighth season and this has allowed many people to improve their mental fitness and has saved numerous lives.

“We would like to thank our partners The Rugby Football League, Rugby League Cares, Big Lottery and Oddballs and all the Super League Clubs for their support.

“In rugby league offloading is not an easy skill to master, but time it right and you can achieve sensational results and score some fantastic tries. Offloading in life is not an easy skill to master, but when under pressure, if you time it right you can achieve great results and prevent a problem building or getting worse.

“By offloading and telling others about your problem or concern you can relieve the pressure, start solving the problem and build a winning mindset.”

Offload programme manager at Rugby League Cares Emma Goldsmith said: “Many men across the Sport are now starting to talk to their mates and ‘Offload’ their issues when times get tough.

“State of Mind and the Offload programme are here to help men do that and give them practical support in a fun, friendly environment, when they need to a mate in their corner.”

There will be a number of State of Mind activities at Round 18 fixtures and the ManVan will also be present. The ManVan is an interactive exhibition that tackles men’s health issues.

Prior to the round, State of Mind and Offload will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for largest mental health awareness lesson at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on June 6.