This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and I have been talking to members of the SDS Young Persons’ Sports Panel about what mental health means to them.

The SDS YPSP is a group of 15 disabled young people who are committed and enthusiastic about disability sport. In our monthly meetings we discuss a wide range of topics, from events and inclusive sports to raising awareness and social media. Since Mental Health Awareness Week is the 11th to 17th of May, I thought it timely to chat about the importance of mental health awareness and acceptance.

When asked what mental health meant to them, the panel had some really insightful answers. “Keeping things positive and trying not to let things get on top of you,” said Calum, highlighting the importance of stress and mental health. When you have a lot of possibly tricky things happening in your life, it’s important to find ways to cope before the stress becomes overwhelming. “Do you want to focus on the negatives or the positives?” asked peer mentor, Caitlyn.

Another key insight from the group was that mental health effects everybody in many different ways. It can be about dealing with a mental health condition but also keeping positive in everyday life. As Hollie described, “it’s not just the bad bits but the good bits too and everything in the middle!”

The theme of this week, from the Mental Health Foundation (MHF), is taking action for yourself, for someone else, and for all of us. Through our discussions, we found that sport plays a crucial role in both personal mental health and helping others. Peer mentor Ross said it was important to “focus on yourself for a wee bit each day.” All the panel members agreed that their sport helped them to feel better. “If I’ve got something on my mind I’ll do my swimming” said Ruby. Calum also agreed, saying, “I go out for a run and write my feelings down.”

We also talked about the impact sport can have your mental health when it’s not going so smoothly. Calum talked about the pressure of competing and how he focuses on not burning himself out so much. I also believe that it is important to remember why you love your sport and make sure to protect that joy. Volunteering is a great way to do this, with Millie Boo saying, “it can be so rewarding for mental health.”

With many of our panel members volunteering in disability sport, we discussed what actions we can take to help the mental health of others too. “Give them time to talk to you or let them know you are there,” said Ruby, adding that she spreads encouragement and positivity to participants. You can never know what someone else is going through, so you should always be aware of how your actions can impact someone’s mental health.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, the MHF invites you to reflect on your actions for mental health, as we build “communities of motivated people [who] are laying the

foundations for a society that prioritises good mental health.” Whether you act for yourself of others, “it shows it’s okay not to be okay and no one is alone,” as Millie Boo told me. This is action at its most powerful.

 

Scottish Disability Sport are currently recruiting for the next intake of our Young Persons’ Sports Panel and Young Start coaching programmes. Applications for both programmes close on 22nd May 2026. To apply or find out more information, please visit: Young Start and Young Persons’ Sports Panel –