World Mental Health Day: a strong support network for GCMA members

07 October 2026

This Saturday, 10 October, marks World Mental Health Day. It provides an opportunity to highlight the support available through GCMA membership – including our expanded network of Mental Health First Aiders.

Golf club management is a profession built around people. Managers support their teams, work with committees and boards, and respond to the needs of members and visitors. Having someone to turn to when they need support themselves is equally valuable.

Your association continues to invest in that support, helping you our members access a listening ear, practical resources and guidance towards further help.

Building on our existing network

In June, a further 11 GCMA members completed a two-day Mental Health First Aider training programme, funded through the GCMA Benevolent Fund.

These newly trained volunteers complement our existing Mental Health First Aiders, strengthening the support network available across the Association.

The training equips volunteers to recognise signs that someone may be experiencing difficulties, approach conversations with sensitivity and help people find appropriate professional support. For a member unsure where to begin, that initial conversation can provide a helpful starting point.

We are grateful to our new volunteers and the existing Mental Health First Aiders who give their time to support fellow members. Their involvement reflects the care and willingness to help that runs throughout the GCMA community.

Knowing where to turn

Our Mental Health First Aiders form part of a wider range of support available through membership, including:

Confidential counselling support helpline, with access details in the Members’ Hub.
Mental health and wellbeing webinars, available through the Members’ Webinar Library.
Wellbeing learning on SkillGate, offering resources for members and their teams.

Members can find Mental Health First Aider contact details in the Members’ Hub, or speak to their Regional Manager or the GCMA HQ team for guidance on accessing support.

As World Mental Health Day approaches, we want every member to know where they can turn. Whether you would value an initial conversation or help finding a particular service, your Association is here to support you.

VISIT THE GCMA MEMBERS HUB

By Natalie McColl

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John Steele

John Steele is a former professional athlete, sports coach, Olympic Leader and is the Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University. He has been Chief Executive across a range of sectors. Drawing on leadership experience of nine different Olympic and Paralympic Games (including the amazing events at the Rio Games), John reflects on the lessons from this unique period in British sport and relays his fascinating views on creating high performing teams.

Indeed, inspired from PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, by the most successful performance ever for Team GB, he has a whole host of new business and leadership insights into how this was brilliant performance was achieved and how it can translate back into your organisation.

John moved into the corporate world, before he enjoyed an outstanding career as a professional rugby player achieving international honours. After his playing career, he turned his hand to coaching and achieved the highest accolade for a British club coach by winning the European Cup with Northampton Saints. He then became Executive Director on the Saints Board during a period of unprecedented growth, and served on the England Rugby Board during the successful world cup campaign of 2003. It was no surprise that John’s talents were called upon to drive through a change and modernisation programme as CEO of the Rugby Football Union – a challenge that became controversial and ended in his departure from the post after only a year, but with his dignity and professional pride intact.

Headhunted by UK Sport, John took up post as CEO the day before London won the 2012 Olympic bid – and this promising start was sustained as he embarked on developing the UK’s high performance sport system, which he led for a six-year period of unprecedented success through the Beijing and London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Post-London 2012, with the Olympic legacy in place and an obligation to continue inspiring a generation, John took up his post as Group Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust. He has also succeeded Steve Cram as Chairman of the English Institute of Sport, an organisation described as ‘the team behind the team’, which delivers a range of performance impacting solutions to over 40 Olympic and Paralympic sports and some non-Olympic sports.

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Dr Jo Salter MBE

Dr Jo Salter MBE is famed for becoming the first female fast jet pilot, having flown the Panavia Tornado ground attack aircraft during her services in the Royal Air Force. Joining the RAF aged 18, Jo has since taken Air Cadets into the skies as part of Air Experience Flights, become the Director of Global Transformative Leadership for PWC, and most recently become a Global Advisory of GenAI for PwC.

Jo has piloted flights in the Air Cadets Air Experience Flights and inspired countless budding armed service members to pioneer a male-dominated sector, having been the leader of an all-male squadron. Since leaving the military behind, Jo has established a strong business career working in roles such as Head of Technical Services for NetConnect, European Operations Manager for Automated Power Exchange and Managing Director of Saltin Ltd.

Having developed first-class expertise in leadership, analytical thinking and performing under pressure, Jo is now a highly sought-after public speaker to share stories from her time in the skies.

Jo is a passionate Trustee of The Royal Air Force Club and an Ambassador of the Global Angels charity, an organisation that gives communities around the world access to clean water, education, healthcare and encourages female and youth empowerment. Jo has also authored two books, titled Energy: 52 Ways to Fire Up Your Life and Become an Energy Angel and Energize: Spring Clean Your Mind and Body to Get Your Bounce Back Today and Every Day.

In recognition of her achievements throughout her career, Jo has also been named as one of the 50 Most Inspiring Women in the World by Harpers & Queen. She is now working as the Director of Global Transformation Leadership at PWC, after working in other roles such as Director of Risk Technology Strategy, Director Chief of Staff to Head of Technology & Investments and the Director of People & Organisations.

In 2022, Jo was invited personally by Tom Cruise to attend the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. Most recently, Jo received an honorary doctorate of Arts from Bournemouth University.