World Mental Health Day: looking out for each other
On World Mental Health Day, Portsmouth United Volleyball Club is asking members and readers to look out for each other and to reach out for support.
Saturday 10 October 2026 is World Mental Health Day. At Portsmouth United Volleyball Club, we’re using it to talk about something that matters on and off the court: how we’re really doing.
More than fitness
Volleyball asks a lot of us. There’s the pressure of a tight set, the frustration of a mistake and the weeks when form or selection doesn’t go our way.
This is Portsmouth United Volleyball Club’s first season in the National Volleyball League (NVL). As newcomers, there’s a lot of expectation on the club and our players to perform and deliver. Each of us has a responsibility to recognise that pressure and to play our part in handling it in a healthy way.
Looking after your mind matters as much as looking after your body. Rest, sleep and time away from the game are part of training, not a sign of weakness.
Sport gives back, too. Moving regularly, working towards a shared goal and knowing your teammates expect you on a Thursday night can lift your mood and ease stress.
Every day, not just today
Mental health isn’t only about athletes or big moments. It’s part of everyday life: work, study, money, family and the pressures we don’t always talk about.
Anyone can find things hard, and it doesn’t always show. A teammate who has gone quiet, stopped coming to training or seems short-tempered may be carrying more than we know.
Be kind and keep an open mind. Ask how someone is, and ask again if the answer sounds too quick. Listen without judging, and don’t feel you have to fix everything.
If someone asks for help, take it seriously and help them find support. You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference.
Where to get help
If you’re finding things hard, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to wait until things feel serious to talk to someone.
Club members can email the committee, including our Welfare Officer Hugo Nascimento, at hello@portsmouthunitedvc.org for support, guidance or advice.
These free services are there for everyone, whenever you need them:
Free support for everyone
As a volleyball coach and also as sports sciences and technology consultant, I would say that joining any sports discipline will be beneficial for people experiencing loneliness, stress, depression, etc. Also, living in this sporting and social environment shapes individuals who will have the experience to manage other people experiencing mental difficulties.
Many shores. One team.
