The Sport for Refugees Coalition hosted a virtual panel discussion in June to explore the role of sport in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Experts from different sectors and disciplines shared their knowledge and expertise on this cross-cutting topic, discussing how to increase recognition of the role of sport and physical activity in supporting people’s mental health and well-being in situations of forced displacement and how to encourage collective action of major stakeholders.
In their interventions, panellists highlighted the valuable role of sport in achieving positive outcomes for MHPSS, especially for forcibly displaced persons and how this connection between physical activity, mental health, and psychosocial well-being is increasingly being acknowledged on a global scale.
Implementing long-term physical activity patterns are fundamental for target groups. In fact, the regularity that sport provides helps children feel safe and stable. This can be done through constant support from families and trainers,” says Samer Jouba, Training Officer and Project Coordinator at Right to Play Palestine.
“These interventions should be implemented at an early stage [of emergency situations] to create a sense of normalcy and build children’s resilience,” says Nathalie Metheuver, Programme developer and Master Trainer at Team Up Global. This is critical because sport activities can allow parents and coaches to establish important connections with children, which can in turn help them to release the tension accumulated after having experienced traumatic events.
Read more at SportandDev.org.
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