Ex-footballer launches new mental health university course

Clarke and Carrie Carlisle are launching CHAMPs at the University of Central Lancashire

Clarke and Carrie Carlisle
Author: Mick CoylePublished 9th Mar 2023
Last updated 9th Mar 2023

Suicide survivor and ex-Premier League footballer Clarke Carlisle is launching a new university course to train people how to support someone having mental health problems.

The former Burnley defender has told us he wants to equip people with the right skills to make a difference after his own battles with depression.

Alongside his wife Carrie, and the University of Central Lancashire, Clarke has designed the course to provide an academic qualification in mental health advocacy – the first of its kind in the country.

During his 17-year playing career, Carlisle made more than 500 appearances for nine clubs, including Blackpool and Burnley, and was the Chair of the Professional Football Association.

But throughout his life, Clarke struggled with his mental health: he has recurrent depressive disorder and attempted suicide multiple times.

It was his own experiences that inspired him to approach UCLan to develop the Collaborative Health and Mind Programme – known as CHAMPs.

The course is a "non-clinical, broad introduction to health and wellbeing support systems, underpinned by evidence-based theory."

Clarke and Carrie Carlisle set out their goals

Clarke explains: “Carrie and I speak to a lot of corporate companies, and what we’ve found is that although they often provide important resources for people struggling with their mental health, there’s still a stigma around accessing those resources.

"That’s where mental health first aiders and advocates come in, as they can provide an important bridge for people to feel more confident in accessing the help they need – but those first aiders are then at high risk of burning out themselves, and feeling overwhelmed.”

"That’s why one of the aims of the course is to teach people in the industry that to care for others, you must also take care of yourself: putting in place the basics, like keeping up with exercise and getting enough sleep, the lack of which can all affect your ability to cope with certain situations."

Clarke adds: “We wanted to build a course that really got under the skin of what it means to be a mental health advocate. It’s not just about supporting the person who needs help; it’s also about understanding how to protect your own mental health as an advocate.

Course at the University of Central Lancashire

Running over two weeks, split across two semesters, the course is divided into a week spent on academic theory and then a week focusing on more practical sessions.

The latter involves recorded and assessed roleplays, as well as students from the University sharing their own lived experience of accessing mental health support.

Clarke and Carrie will share their story and experiences with those on the course too.

Jennifer Deighton, Senior Lecturer with UCLan’s School of Sports and Health Science, who has developed the course, says: “When Clarke and Carrie approached the University with their vision for an academically robust mental health advocacy course, it offered me an exciting opportunity to create a unique Advance Certificate by drawing on my experiences as a mental health nurse.

"The Collaborative Health and Mind Programme is the only course of its kind to offer a practical module, allowing our students to develop confidence and competence through putting into practice their new skills – all within a safe and supportive environment.”

"It can literally save lives"

Clarke's message for anyone considering enrolling in the course: “Do it. Honestly, the importance of the role of the advocate cannot be underestimated – your actions can be hugely influential – both for good, if you understand the steps to take, and for bad, if you don’t. I know, from my own lived experience, just what a difference having the right support in place can make to someone is crisis – it can literally save lives.”

You can find out more about the course here; with the first course running later this month.

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