Global Leisure Debate: responses to challenges on leisure, mental health and well-being

Abstract

This Global Leisure Debate occurred on 9th/10th June for approximately an hour as part of the WLO Knowledge Sharing and Networking Experience. WLO chair, Joanne Schroeder, moderated the session with participants, Simone Fullagar from Gri ffi th University in Australia, Joe Pavelka from Mount Royal University in Canada, and me from Penn State University in the USA. In preparation for the discussion, we read transcripts from interviews with Alfonso Jimenez, Director of Research and Innovation at lngesport-GO fi t, Martyn Allison, Chief Cultural and Leisure O ffi cers Association Honorary Member, and Joe Taylor, Founder of The Wave Project UK. These knowledgeable prac-titioners discussed challenges, inequalities, barriers and opportunities associated with mental health and well-being within the leisure context. The WLO Secretariat, Cristina Ortega Nuere and the WLO sta ff developed three 5-minute videos with each video fea-turing one of the three invited participants providing our reactions to the transcripts identi fi ed as WLO Pre-Experience Videos. Many of those attending the debate reviewed the videos prior to the discussion.