“We’re here” Campaign Provides Health Boost in Lockdown

Brand Oath is maintaining its support of physical and mental health after designing the logo for a new campaign to help combat life in lockdown.

Last year, the Edinburgh agency partnered with jogscotland and SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) on powerful branding and digital assets for their inspiring and successful ‘I’m here’ collaborative campaign, which saw jogging groups offering their support to help people overcome mental health barriers.

Now with the challenging times presented by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic placing an even greater emphasis on mental health, Brand Oath have partnered on another valuable initiative through their logo design for the ‘We’re here’ campaign.

With our wellbeing currently becoming more important than ever, the campaign is helping to promote the benefits of physical activity to support mental health.

In partnership with  SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health),  sportscotland is linking physical activity and mental health in a bid to encourage people to continue to reap the benefits of exercise, as well as reassure the Scottish sporting network to stay connected during the pandemic.

Provided government guidelines are met for social distancing and travel guidance, physical activity can play a crucial role in aiding your wellbeing by reducing stress, improving your mood and lowering your risk of depression.

Stewart Harris, sportscotland chief executive, said: “Being physically and mentally active is one of the best things we can do for our physical and mental health. During what is a very difficult time for people across Scotland and beyond, it is more important than ever that we all do what we can to look after ourselves.

“SAMH’s work helps to change lives and we are proud to be working with them again on the ‘We’re here’ campaign. It is vital that everyone works together to make sure we overcome the challenges faced across the sporting system and we are here to help throughout this difficult time.”

‘We’re here’ was developed from ‘I’m here’, the collaborative initiative between jogscotland and SAMH designed to equip jog leaders with tools to let their joggers know they’re open to talking about mental health.

Robert Nesbitt, SAMH head of physical activity and sport, added: “At SAMH we know the positive impact that physical activity can have on improving your mental health and wellbeing. The ‘We’re here’ campaign will further emphasise the need to stay physically active and we look forward to driving this campaign alongside our partner, sportscotland.”

With more than 700 jog leaders taking the online mental health awareness training, many of the leaders have felt more confident in providing support or someone to talk to.

Colin Hutchison, scottishathletics head of development, said: “The ‘I’m here’ movement created by jogscotland and SAMH has had an incredible impact on our jogging groups. Over the last three years we’ve seen first-hand the significant impact physical activity can have on mental health through our partnership with SAMH.

“Their knowledge and experience has been invaluable to help us understand how we can best work with our networks to support people at all levels in athletics and running.

“On the back of the incredible success we’ve had with ‘I’m here’, we have always been keen to support SAMH to encourage other governing bodies and sports organisations to get involved. We are delighted to now be supporting the #WeAreHere campaign promoted by sportscotland and SAMH.”

sportscotland and SAMH are working hard to support the sporting system and are looking for more Scottish governing bodies of sport (SGBs), clubs, community organisations, local authorities and athletes to spread the message and promote the benefits of physical activity on mental health.

Look out for the use of the ‘We’re here’ logo, including on Brand Oath platforms.

Hutchison added: “The #WeAreHere message is more powerful now than ever before and helps promote the positive impact physical activity can have in helping people manage their mental health.

“We would encourage all governing bodies to get involved to promote #WeAreHere to their networks and share the great work that SAMH do.”

Spread the message on social media using the #WeAreHere hashtag and tagging @sportscotland in any of your posts.