Harlequins and The Harlequins Foundation have announced a partnership with JAAQ, a pioneering mental health platform that provides answers to hard-hitting questions. The platform provides guidance to topics across mental health, societal pressures and physical wellbeing.
JAAQ has “Over 50,000 questions across 50 different topics including depression, addiction, physical health and fertility.” Harlequins first team stars have recorded answers to questions on the pressures of a career in professional rugby, and how it impacts their mental health.
Twickenham Stoop fan favourites such as Marcus Smith, Louis Lynagh, Scott Steele, Sam Riley, Fin Baxter and Lewis Gjaltema have all taken part in the platform, which is available to access at the below link.
Access JAAQ here: JAAQ: The new mental health social media platform
The fly half answers questions regarding nerves ahead of a match, the pressure he feels ahead of matches and what it would mean to him to play for England at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Harlequins stated that “Players and coaches from across the Men’s and Women’s team will continue to share their stories regularly in the future on JAAQ and Harlequins channels as the Club seeks to promote positive mental health and welfare for our supporters.”
JAAQ Founder Danny Gray said: “Getting players like Marcus Smith, Louis Lynagh and the guys on JAAQ will help so many people get advice and information that they just can’t get elsewhere.
“Professional sportspeople are amazing role models and to have the guys talking so openly about their own experiences of mental health is a proper game changer. This is how JAAQ will change the face of mental health, giving people quality information in the right way at the right time, at the click of a button.”
Harlequins Chief Executive Laurie Dalrymple said: “When we were introduced to JAAQ, we were incredibly impressed by functionality of the platform, and excited by its potential. Promoting positive mental health and supporting mental welfare is a crucial element of our club – both for our players, coaches and staff, but also our supporters.
“We have through programmes such as Mettle, one of The Harlequins Foundation’s mental health programmes, and our Mental Resilience training prioritised positive mental health. This exciting partnership allows us again to use the popularity of our club to act as a force for good and provide help and support to our supporter base. I would advise all supporters to take a look – this is truly ground-breaking in its quality and potential impact.”