We have seen the heartbreaking effects this has had on these people and are determined to provide the positive brain health support so desperately needed.
Head for Change is proud to partner directly with Thrive Mental Wellbeing to ensure former football and rugby players who are experiencing mental health issues, along with their families, are given access to clinically proven tools and techniques to support them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As we continue to pioneer positive change for brain health in sport, this is an important step in protecting athletes experiencing mental health challenges as a result of playing the sports we love.
The Thrive Mental Wellbeing app is clinically effective, NHS-compliant and designed to support the prevention and early detection of common mental health conditions. Already trusted by thousands of organisations, Thrive is a leading mental care service that provides therapy and mental health support to help people manage and improve their mental health.
Alix Popham and Melanie Bramwell-Popham
Two of the co-founders of Head for Change, know first-hand what it feels like being told that you or someone you love has early onset dementia and probable CTE after a professional rugby career.
Alix was just 40 years old when he was diagnosed. At the time, here was very little information on how a young man with the responsibility of a young family could cope with such life-changing news.
Alix and Mel, ever since Alix’s diagnosis in April 2020, want to make sure that others in the same position have the support they need and work closely with affected players who wish to.
Some don’t want to talk and we understand.
Alix has been there.
He said: “We know from our work with rugby players who are receiving brain injury diagnoses as a result of their professional rugby career, that adjusting to the implications of their diagnosis can be very challenging.
“For many players with young families and post-rugby careers to think about, dealing with CTE or early onset dementia was not something they anticipated having to cope with when they hung up their boots.
We are determined to offer more ex-athletes and now their families access to a mental health app which we believe will be of real value to them.”
The app can identify those who may be experiencing a mental health issue and intervene, offering them support through triage and therapy, before a minor issue becomes a major crisis.
It is an important element of the Care and Support programme Head for Change offers former players with a brain injury diagnosis. We have worked hard to be able to offer the app to players, former players and their families and cover the cost to help them manage their mental wellbeing more effectively.
Adam Huxley, co-founder of Thrive Mental Wellbeing, said
“We are delighted to partner with Head to Change to support them in their mission of helping those affected by sports-related brain injuries.
Thrive will support beneficiaries who experience mental health difficulties as a result of their brain injury, helping them adjust to their life changes and be on hand to support their future mental wellbeing.”
Dr Andres Fonseca, co-founder of Thrive Mental Wellbeing, added:
“I am enormously proud of supporting individuals who may be affected by neurodegenerative conditions as a result of playing sports where the athletes may receive multiple head injuries.
“These neurodegenerative conditions tend to present with depression and anxiety in the early stages, both as a direct result of the condition and as a result of adjusting to it from a psychological and social point of view.
“We are humbled by Head for Change trusting us to provide this service to this population who very much need it.”