My name is Jo Phillips and I’m privileged to work for the charity State of Mind Sport. State of Mind Sport is a charity that harnesses the power of sport to promote positive mental health among our sportsmen and women, fans and wider communities, and ultimately to prevent suicide.
We raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental health and well-being and deliver education on the subject to all levels of sport, business, education and community groups. We SIGNPOST individuals to where they can receive care and support in their area. First established in UK Super League in 2011, State of Mind Sport is now a much-loved national charity and international movement delivering its message across rugby league, rugby union, multiple other sports, age groups and territories.
I started working for the charity in 2009. I share my own lived experiences as part of our Mental Health Awareness session. Having previously worked in the Fire and Rescue Service, I suffered with PTSD and depression, and had a suicide attempt that left me in ICU for 8 days. I believe I survived to be able to share my story with others to try and help them navigate their own journey with the hope that no matter how dark life can get, the light eventually comes.
My journey hasn’t been linear. In 2015, I suffered a stroke whilst competing in a Cup Final, and I was recently diagnosed with CTE and early-onset dementia, which, at times have had a detrimental impact on my mental health. Last year, I arranged a charity walk to raise vital funds for the MND Association and for State of Mind Sport.
Like many, I was profoundly impacted by Rob Burrow and his brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease. Robs friendship with Kev Sinfield was the catalyst for that. As everything that Rob endured he went through with his best friend at his side. I wanted the walk to convey that message. That whatever adversity we may encounter in life, the journey is infinitely easier when you have people walking beside you.
Myself and 25 others, mostly former Rugby League players from Castleford Tigers, Leeds Rhinos, and Wakefield Trinity, as well as some of my colleagues from State of Mind Sport, walked from Leeds Rhinos Stadium to Old Trafford, ahead of The Grand Final. We completed that brutal challenge of 48 miles in 15 hours. Walking in darkness at 3am at the top of Saddleworth Moore, these tenacious human beings supported and encouraged each other in the moments we felt we couldn’t continue- and that’s like life.
Sometimes we just need sometime to walk besides us in the dark times, and encourage us to keep going. I love the work I do. I know it’s made a difference to thousands of people, and I’m very proud to play a small part in that. If what we do can prevent one person from taking their life, then for me, why I do what I do.
