Following the success of the Feel Your Personal Best campaign last year, in 2022 sportscotland and SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) joined forces with Public Health Scotland to further raise the profile of the relationship between physical activity and mental health.
The Feel Your Personal Best campaign encourages people to get active to support their mental health and wellbeing. A key message is that there are many ways to get active, and the most important thing is for people to find an activity that works for them and their daily routine.
Partnership working
With Public Health Scotland joining as a campaign partner, Feel Your Personal Best has reached a wider audience this year, including through local health boards and partnerships sharing the campaign content across their channels.
Combined with SAMH and sportscotland’s audiences, the campaign positions the link between physical activity and mental health and encourages people to share their own experiences.
Sharon used to feel socially isolated but, through running, met likeminded people which improved her physical health and overall wellbeing.
— SAMH (@SAMHtweets) October 5, 2022
Whether you walk, jog, take an exercise class or join a sports club - it's important to make time for you to #FeelYourPersonalBest pic.twitter.com/qsV0jeU3l7
A range of case studies and user generated content across social media tells the stories of those whose lives have been improved by taking part in physical activity. These real-life examples inspire others to take the first steps towards getting more active, and to take notice of the positive impact it has on their wellbeing.
FEEL YOUR PERSONAL BEST | “Sport made my mental health better and saved me from losing my family.”
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) October 4, 2022
A hugely inspiring story of how sport helped Alan, a former army veteran, through the darkest period of his life.
Read morehttps://t.co/D9LaV6HRCM#FeelYourPersonalBest pic.twitter.com/EId9qmfOsW
The joint campaign between sportscotland, SAMH and Public Health Scotland helps to cement the important role that sport and physical activity can play in supporting mental health and wellbeing, and the importance of ongoing collaboration across the sector.
The #FeelYourPersonalBest Campaign is about being active in different ways for different reasons, and feeling good! In this blog @ManiraAhmad and @FloraJJackson show they practice what they preach as they share their reflections of the recent launch 👟
— Public Health Scotland (@P_H_S_Official) September 1, 2022
➡️https://t.co/UMBmifZPZh pic.twitter.com/8U2bUrX3uH
Continuing the conversation
In the year ahead, the partners will look at how to build on the campaign, and continue the conversation about the positive impact of physical activity on mental health and wellbeing.
Flora Jackson, Health Improvement Manager (Physical Activity) at Public Health Scotland, said: “The Feel Your Personal Best campaign has provided a great opportunity to work in partnership with sportscotland and SAMH to achieve a share goal of improving health and wellbeing through physical activity.
“The campaign messaging, partners toolkit and SAMH resources provide a platform for physical activity service providers working with or for the NHS to promote their services to local communities throughout Scotland.”
Robert Nesbitt, Head of Physical Activity and Sport at SAMH, said: "Being active is central to good mental health, but it can be difficult to make time for your wellbeing, especially if you're already struggling.
"SAMH has been delighted to work with both sportscotland and Public Health Scotland on the Feel Your Personal best campaign this year, allowing us to reach a wider audience."
"During winter, the cold, short days can make it tempting to hibernate until spring; but it's even more important that we are active at this time. Even small things like going for a walk or doing some stretches can have huge benefits, like reducing stress, boosting self-esteem, and helping us to connect with others."
FEEL YOUR PERSONAL BEST | "I wouldn’t have been able to get through everything if it wasn’t for Football. United Glasgow are now my family."
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) December 14, 2022
Anas fled Syria and joined @UnitedGlasgowFC for support in creating a new life here in Scotland.
Read more 👇https://t.co/rHu4VSDvwZ pic.twitter.com/BXxXCUmFyy
