Tackling Minds
Tight Lines For Healthy Minds
Fishing and Mental Health
Formed in early 2020, Tackling Minds has quickly become established as a trusted provider of angling events within the UK and offers support to people from all walks of life that are struggling with a range of issues.
In 2022, Tackling Minds teamed up with Angling Direct and Anglia Ruskin University to research the relationship between recreational fishing and mental health in a sample of UK adults. The results showed that fishing has a measurable benefit on a range of mental and physical health conditions. Follow the link below to read more.
As Seen On Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
Our Fishing Sessions
- Improve the health and wellbeing of people who are suffering from a range of personal issues
- Provide opportunities to participate in angling and engage with the local environment
- Encourage an interest in sport and outside activities
- Offer individual development through upskilling, education, social engagement and volunteering.
- Provide opportunities for people to re-engage with society following illness, a period of inactivity or for older age groups to participate in a sport in a safe welcoming environment
“Look at the Tackling Minds . It’s a group dedicated to promoting the mental health benefits of fishing to a wide group of people. I love this project because it reaches out to everyone regardless of their background, ethnicity, level of ability etc., etc., It’s inclusive, positive and wonderful.
Please share this and take the time to support this wonderful new organisation in whichever way you can. At the very least you can follow them.
Take a bow, Tackling Minds – you have my support”
Matt Hayes
TV & Fishing celebrity
“I appreciate what you are trying to do as I have several friends and family members who are going through such issues. I wish Tackling Minds every success.”
Mick Brown
TV & fishing celebrity
“As I’ve always said to the Mental Health Gang, you’ve got to keep the mind and body busy. Keep active and you’ll keep smiling. Another thing that will help you is fishing!! Fishing is a great sport and there’s nothing more relaxing than to be outside in the fresh air and keeping the mind busy.
Give Tackling Minds a follow and find out some of the benefits to this relaxing past time which will help you massively!”
Ricky Hatton MBE
4 x two-weight World Boxing Champion
About Us
Founder David Lyons has suffered with mental health problems in the past and fishing played a vital role in managing his illness.
Buoyed by his own experience of the benefits of the great outdoors, his mission is to pass on his knowledge and encourage people from all backgrounds to get into fishing and reap the positive health benefits it can offer. Tackling Minds work closely with mental health organisations, schools, and social prescribing link workers to provide a safe, supportive, accessible and affordable environment within which the community’s diverse population can enjoy a range of cultural, educational, leisure and social activities.
By engaging with small groups, using a range of fishing methods to provide personal stimulation & development opportunities and the positive stress-relief therapy that blue-green spaces offer, the Tackling Minds team brings people together in a rich, socially engaging environment essential to securing well-being and active ageing.
