MenuClose
- If life's at risk When there's immediate danger to life. Call 999
- Samaritans Free to call, any time, for anyone struggling. Call 116 123
- Prefer to text? Free and confidential, any time. Text SHOUT to 85258
- NHS 111 in England and Wales Choose option 2 for mental health. Free, 24 hours a day. Call 111
- NHS 24 in Scotland Choose the mental health option. Free, 24 hours a day. Call 111
Make mental health part of your club communications
Talk about mental health as a normal part of how your club communicates, all year round.
How a club talks about something shapes how people feel about it. When looking after your mental health is part of everyday club life, people are more likely to feel able to talk about how they're doing, and to know where to turn if they need to.
Communications also reach people who might never come to a talk or stop at a noticeboard. A line in a newsletter, a message from the captain or a post on social media can reach the whole club. This step is about building mental health into the communications your club already sends, throughout the year, in a way that's clear, consistent and safe.
Jump to the game planWhy it matters
Talking openly helps reduce stigma.
Research into what reduces mental health stigma has found that hearing from people with lived experience, and seeing the topic discussed openly, is one of the most effective approaches.
Regular reminders help people find support.
People often look for support at a moment when they're finding things hard. Seeing support information regularly means they're more likely to remember where it is.
Consistency matters more than volume.
A short, regular message tends to do more than a one-off campaign that's forgotten by the following month.
What good looks like
Mental health is part of the club's regular communications throughout the year, not just one-off moments.
Club leaders and people in club roles talk about it at club events and in everyday conversation, as well as in writing.
Golfers, staff and volunteers regularly see where to find support and how to look after themselves.
Communications use channels people already use.
Messages use language that's clear and respectful.
Anything about suicide or a death follows safe messaging guidelines.
What to communicate
A good mix over the year might include:
Ways to communicate
Communication isn't just newsletters and emails. It's also what people see around the club and what they hear people say. A mix of all three works best.
Read
What people read
- Newsletters and member emails
- The club website and app
- Social media
- Booking confirmations
- New member welcome packs
See
What people see around the club
- Posters in changing rooms, toilets, the clubhouse and the pro shop
- Leaflets at reception or in welcome packs
- Beer mats in the bar
- Notices near the first tee, the starter's hut or the halfway house
Hear
What people hear
- Club leaders, at the AGM, captain's day, prize-givings and the start of the season. A few words about what the club is doing, and where to find support, can carry a lot of weight.
- Briefings and meetings, like a quick mention before a competition, at a section meeting or in a staff meeting.
- Everyday conversations, like asking someone how they're doing and meaning it, or pointing out a new poster.
- Personal experience. Some leaders or members may choose to talk about their own experience. Hearing from someone you know can make a real difference, but it's always their choice.
Don't forget staff and volunteers. Include them in internal communications, team meetings and inductions too.
Planning across the year
A simple plan makes it easier to keep going. For example:
One short message a month, linked to a theme or awareness day
Support information in places that stay put, like the newsletter footer or website
A few bigger moments a year, like World Mental Health Day or the AGM
Florio's monthly campaign packs give you a ready-made theme for each month, with email, newsletter, poster and social media templates. Your club can pick and choose what to use.
It helps to agree who's responsible for including this in club communications. That's often whoever already looks after club communications, working with the Mental Health Lead.
Talking about it safely
Most communications are straightforward. A few things need extra care.
Use clear, respectful language. Say "someone experiencing depression", not "a depressive". Say "died by suicide", not "committed suicide". Avoid words like "crazy" or "psycho", even as a joke.
Include support information. Whenever a message touches on difficult topics, say where people can find support.
Follow safe messaging guidelines on suicide. Don't describe methods or locations, avoid simple explanations for why someone died, and always include support information. Samaritans' media guidelines are a good reference.
If someone at your club has died, follow your plan for after a serious incident or death from step 4. Respect the family's wishes, and avoid speculating about the cause.
If someone wants to share their story, make sure they've agreed to exactly what's shared and where, and know they can change their mind. Offer them support before and after. Avoid graphic detail. Personal stories from juniors shouldn't be shared publicly.
Keep an eye on comments. If someone posts something on a club channel that suggests they may need help, follow your response plan.
Start with
Let your members know your club has made the Florio Club Commitment, using our ready-made message, and include where to find support.
Going further
Plan the year
Using our awareness days calendar.
Add support information
To places that stay put, like your newsletter footer, website and welcome pack.
Ask your captain or chair
To say a few words at the AGM or captain's day about what the club is doing and where people can find support.
Run monthly campaigns
Include staff and volunteers
In internal communications.
Share a story
From someone at the club, with their consent and support.
Resources for this step
Sources The Lancet Commission on ending stigma and discrimination in mental health (2022) · Samaritans: Media guidelines for reporting suicide
These ten steps are what clubs commit to when they make the free Florio Club Commitment.
Commit to working through them at your own pace, and join a growing movement across the golf community to improve mental health in the game.
Make the commitmentNeed help now?
If life's at risk Call 999
See all help lines
Need help now?Close
Need help now?
- If life's at risk When there's immediate danger to life. Call 999
- Samaritans Free to call, any time, for anyone struggling. Call 116 123
- Prefer to text? Free and confidential, any time. Text SHOUT to 85258
- NHS 111 in England and Wales Choose option 2 for mental health. Free, 24 hours a day. Call 111
- NHS 24 in Scotland Choose the mental health option. Free, 24 hours a day. Call 111