“Looking After Minds As Well As Bodies”
Mental health is a vital part of safeguarding. Cricket can be both empowering and pressurising — especially for young people. This section offers practical advice and signposting for players, coaches and clubs.
On this page, you’ll find support on:
- Coping with pressure and performance
- Creating safe spaces for neurodivergent players
- Recognising signs of distress or emotional difficulty
- How and when to offer help — and where to refer
Mental Health First Aiders
At OCB, many of our workforce are trained Mental Health First Aiders who can identify signs of mental ill-health and provide initial support, including active listening and empathy. They can also guide individuals towards professional help and other appropriate support services. Our Mental Health First Aiders are:
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If yourself or someone else needs help NOW, please visit these links below:
- Opening Up Cricket
- Young Minds – for children and teens
- Mind – for adults
- Samaritans – call 116 123
- Sport in Mind – sport-based mental health support
🗣️ “I used to bottle it up. Now I talk to my coach – and it helps.” – U17 Cricketer
Take a moment to listen to Ben Stokes talk about accepting and embracing failure.