Richmond Heavies Foundation partners with RFC on mental health support for members
The Richmond Heavies Foundation, established almost two years ago in response to the untimely deaths of three stalwart Richmond Rugby club players, is delighted to announce the launch of an extensive support programme for mental health. In close partnership with Richmond Rugby Club, the Foundation will fund a comprehensive programme of support for all members, players and their families. We believe this is a groundbreaking initiative for a community rugby club, and we are proud to build upon the extraordinary camaraderie and closeness of the Richmond Rugby Club family.
We recognise that current events may place an increasing burden on many of our club family, and we are determined to make available a structured programme of support. We are following the WHO model comprising elements around Promotion, Prevention, Treatment and Recovery. In partnership with our mental health care providers, Care First, the Foundation will make available to all members and adult players at the club the Thrive app which is a clinically effective mental wellbeing app for members, to build resilience against stress, anxiety and depression.
In addition, the Foundation will fund a helpline and programme of up to six one to one (by phone) counselling sessions with expert counsellors from Care First.
This programme, fully underwritten by the Foundation with funds raised at a series of events in the last two years, demonstrates the commitment of the Foundation and Richmond Rugby Club to Preventing controllable conditions in the Richmond Rugby Family, and Supporting members who succumb.
