After fishing turned out to be the saving grace during his recovery from a decade of mental health struggles and alcohol addiction, Dave Lyons wanted to hook others on the soothing sport. Now his program is a medicine that’s being prescribed by doctors. Founded five years ago, Tackling Minds is staffed by fishing volunteers and has partnered with the UK’s National Health Service to prescribe fishing for anxiety and depression. The program gained national recognition last month when it was honored by King Charles, winning the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. So far, 2,300 people have been prescribed fishing, with all the equipment and coaching provided by Tackling Minds. Fishers always release the fish after they have been caught. Organizers hope the program will soon be rolled out nationwide as part of the NHS’ “social prescribing” initiative. Tackling Minds now has over 50 volunteers and plants to expand its services. Part of the funding they receive is from the National Lottery.
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| Tackling Minds volunteers |
