We love metal detecting! At Crawfords Metal Detectors we’ve been
supplying and supporting detectorists in our community for nearly 30 years, and
so we like to think we understand both the cutting-edge detecting technologies,
and also the wide variety of people who love the hobby.
This is not always an easy task however. The technology changes
regularly, and metal detectors have improved greatly in the mere 30 years
passed since we opened our doors. So too does the terminology, and our
understanding of how metal detecting affects us in other ways.
People detect for a variety of reasons, and surprisingly a large
proportion of these evolve around mental health. Yes, of course, many
detectorists dream of swinging their machine over a patch of grass, hearing that
magic signal, one moment of digging and then pulling a Roman pot from the
ground, brimming with gold.
The desire to find, and, ‘find big’ are deeply centred in the psyche for
sure, but there is also a sense of realism with the majority of detectorists.
They know, walking out into that field or beach that they might find nothing
today, maybe just some, ‘canslaw’ or a ‘Pontiac Firebird’ (a joke from BBC
series The Detectorists there) but they still persevere. This perseverance is
due to the eternal optimism of a detectorist – read more about that here – but
some is due to the other benefits received from this great pastime. It’s not
all about the glory of the treasure.
We have chatted to detectorists and influential people in the metal
detecting community on how and why they chose to metal detect. Why on earth
invest in good equipment and spend your time roaming the hills? What’s the
point in looking for things from our past, what would that possibly do for us
now? Let’s take a look and see what the community has to say.
Clear You Mind & De-Stress
'
Metal
detecting provides an opportunity for me to clear my head of any day-to-day
clutter or stress from life, and be present to enjoy the hobby. It can be an
excellent way to connect and appreciate the surroundings of the environment
with the thrill of unearthing treasure. It gets you moving and experiencing new
locations which not many other hobbies provide – I find it a great outlet for
my headspace.’
T.
Ferraresso – CoilTek
“I have
always enjoyed the “head space” metal detecting affords me. Sometimes it’s
great to tune out from everything else and to be just focused on swinging my
coil, the beeps and the digging. The best thing of all ….. no phone (unless you
are snapping a cool find). Life can be busy but detecting happens at its own
pace.”
C. Duffy –
Minelab
‘There’s
no better medicine to cure mental health than being out in the open, digging or
just strolling, I’ve always used it as a way of refreshing the mind.’
O.
Batchelor – Facebook
‘The
vast majority of hassles born of modern-day living can to some extent be
alleviated by the switching on of a metal detector. That's one big claim
indeed - but over the last decade I have both witnessed and experienced the
amazing benefits that can be offered here.
‘The positive anticipation, sharing experiences and finds,
countryside sights and sounds, socialising and a myriad of other aspects
combine to make this the perfect tonic - very much an elixir for the
stimulation and improvement of our mental health as well as our
general outlook on life. I am convinced that increased awareness of these
benefits will continue to play a major role in our hobby now and in the
future’.
J.
Evan-Hart - Editor of Treasure Hunting magazine.
‘I don’t
have any mental health issues but this hobby is my weekly de-stress from my
work. Nothing beats being up at dawn on a Saturday or Sunday morning on a quiet
beach, headphones on and for 3 hours just myself and the machine scanning the
sand. Swing, beep, dig……’
M. Evans –
Facebook
Psychological Challenges & Mental Health
‘I would
go so far to say that detecting has a number of qualities that even can
mitigate psychological challenges’.
Andres S.
Dobat – Author of, Archaeology as
‘self-therapy’: Case studies of metal detecting communities in Britain and
Denmark.
‘Like most
things in life, mental health issues are very much a personal experience both
for us individually and the people it affects around us. Our son Freddy is
quite a unique little guy, he faces daily challenges with ADHD. He struggles to
concentrate and also has confidence issues surrounding new people and
unfamiliar places.
‘We
started Metal detecting as a family in 2021 and young Freddy seems to have
really taken to it. It seems that when we are out detecting he is able to
concentrate for longer than usual, he is happiest when busy so detecting,
walking and digging really helps him.
‘Freddy
has a real sense of enthusiasm and confidence once you get him talking about
his finds. Metal detecting is a truly great hobby in terms of mental health.
Being out in the countryside, exercising and being part of a friendly social
community are all beneficial to improving your mental well-being, metal
detecting offers all of this and more!’
Freddy
Finds Family – Instagram
‘The FRONTLINE
DETECTING UK team gives PTSD/WRS sufferers the opportunity to try out metal
detecting to see if it is something that will help them and if it is something
that they would like to pursue. Our clients don't need that extra stress
spending £££ buying the right kit that they know can help them so they use the
FDUK kit until they save up for their own detector. Training is free and they
can try out all different detectors, pin pointers and spades.’ – Link at end of
article.
E. Irvine
– Facebook
“As
the co-founder of a mental health non-profit and with ongoing lived experiences
of depression and anxiety, maintaining and balancing my mental health is at the
core of what I do. Combining that with the hobby of metal detecting creates the
greatest form of therapy for me.
‘Being outside in the fresh air and having time to either
reflect on my own thoughts or talk to other fellow detectorists is the way I am
able to ground myself. Even finding a toasted
old coin or a broken button gets the endorphins going.”
K.
Draper-Firth – Mental Detecting
‘It really
helped me deal with PTSD, I'm an ex-veteran and I’m admin in a club Celtic
Heritage Metal Detecting. We support ex-veterans, ex-emergency services and
also serving members. We are proud of our club and it certainly helped me through
difficult times’.
N. Hibbard
– Facebook
Family & Community
‘I run my
own business along with my husband and the last two years have been so
difficult with lockdowns. If it wasn't for metal detecting and the freedom it
brings to clear your mind, I might have made some rash decisions with the
business. Metal detecting doesn't stop the moment you step off the field, it's
the research you do when you get home.
‘My life
has changed so much since I took up this amazing hobby three years ago, I'm
able to take time out in nature and make better decisions for my work and home
life. Metal detecting is good for the soul’.
A. Lineker
- Facebook
Focus and Solitude
‘I have
schizoaffective disorder and anxiety around people. I like to metal detect on
my local beach. I'm a bit of a hermit and having a metal detector gives me the
motivation to get out more. I think it's the excitement of the unknown, never
knowing what I might find.
When I'm
equipped with a metal detector it becomes my primary focus, therefore taking my
mind off the people around me. It's one of the only times I manage to zone out
around people. Sometimes people show an interest, but the attention is on the
metal detector, not me, so I feel more confident showing them what I've found.
‘I was a
dog person growing up, even as a child I hated walking on my own, but when
walking the dogs, I found my inner peace. I think the principle is the same. A
metal detector grabs my focus the same way the dogs did and makes me feel less
alienated. I'd love a dog again one day when we're ready. I imagine my future
dog will love the time spent on the beach too’.
M.
Fergusson – Facebook
‘I love
the peace and quiet whilst detecting, just being alone and free to roam,
imagining the people that had been in that field previously and losing or
burying the items we dig up. I love being outdoors and find it gives me
escapism from my daily stress and anxiety. When I first started, I couldn't
believe how addicted I felt to it and often time just flew by.’
Wendy
Turner – Manager of Crawfords Metal Detectors South
‘Metal
Detecting has helped me through some dark times in my life! Metal detecting was
and still Is my therapy. I put on my headphones and I’m focused solely on the
signals. Just to have that time out from the negative thoughts. It doesn’t
matter what I find, it's just being outdoors with a different focus. I’d hate
to think where my life would have taken me if I hadn’t had this wonderful
hobby’.
Paul F –
Instagram
‘Absolutely
100% it’s such a peaceful hobby. Out in the fresh air just listening to the
bleeps!’
O. Wilkins
– Facebook
‘Metal
detecting gives me a great sense of freedom from the hustle and bustle of
everyday activities. After a stressful day at school, I can go out and get in
touch with nature and surround myself with peace and enjoyment. I recently
passed through a rough patch in my mental health and I can honestly say that
metal detecting was the treatment I needed.’
Lawrence. M - Instagram
‘I have
suffered from depression for the past 15 or 16 years. Metal detecting helps me
relax and forget about everyday life the things that bring me down. Sometimes
you just need solitude’.
M. Toepfer
– Facebook
Physiotherapy & Exercise
‘Even
after 40+ years of detecting, I still enjoy the fresh air, the beautiful
countryside we live in and the exercise it gives me.
‘I have
suffered continual pain with arthritis and getting out, now and again, helps me
mentally cope with it. I do struggle even whilst detecting, but it does help to
keep me moving, as that is the best thing to do if you are suffering with
arthritis like myself. I have it in my feet and ankles, my spine and hands, so
being out there helps me a lot in trying to forget about it.
‘That next signal from my detector is what it is all about and there is just no better
hobby as far as I am concerned, I always have something to look forward to,
even when I am not feeling good in myself’.
J. Crouch
– Facebook
‘I was
drawn to metal detecting for my physio recovery. I had an accident that has
permanently damaged my spine and nervous system. My mental health suffered from
depression and negative thoughts. Metal detecting allows me to get exercise in
a clean country environment. My nervous issues are eased in an environment free
from the hassles of life.’
M. Edwards
– Facebook
Grief
‘I
never fully understood the mental health benefits of detecting until a couple
of years ago when my Dad passed away. I was naturally distraught; Dad was
constantly on my mind, and I felt numb and lost at times.
‘Fortunately, having this great hobby, I found that once I
put on my headphones and turned on my machine, the bleeps and reminder of doing
what I love took me back to my special place. All my problems and worries just
disappeared whilst those bleeps came into my ears. I feel so lucky to have a
hobby with so many benefits and can now see why this has helped so many
people’.
A.
Gayler - Field Tester Treasure Hunting Magazine
‘I lost my
mum 2 years ago. She had Parkinson's disease and other complications due to
that horrid disease. It knocked me back. I got depressed and anxious but
getting out metal detecting has helped me and every time I find something nice,
I look up to the heavens and smile and show her what I've found, it brings me
some comfort.’
M. Price –
Facebook
‘Certainly
helped me through some difficult times.’
C. Binns –
Facebook
‘I bought
[a metal detector] after my husband and I lost a parent to cancer each only a
few weeks apart in 2020. We beach detect and love it when we get the chance.
It’s exciting not knowing what you’ll find. And we don’t find much of value but
it doesn’t matter. He’s the digger and I’m the beeper.’
S. Traves
– Facebook
LOVE
‘In my job
I need my weekly fix of this great hobby, gets me through’
P Howarth
– Facebook
‘I just
love it’
G. Parratt
– Facebook
‘Absolutely
always feel better getting out ’.
T. Quinn –
Facebook
Community & Socialisation
‘Personally,
for the last seven years it’s been essential as a reset with my anxiety and
loneliness at times. I don't often say what's happening enough but inside it’s
like there is nothing and I need to get out. Five six hours in the countryside
on my own helps with resting the inner soul and all is good.’
Minelab
Mal – Facebook
I had never even thought about metal detecting nine months ago, but since working at Crawfords I’ve been learning so much about both the technology and the detecting community.
‘
‘I had
never even thought about metal detecting nine months ago, but since working at
Crawfords I’ve been learning so much about both the technology and the
detecting community.
‘I think
the most impressive element of this hobby to me, a relative newcomer is the
people. I love the people I work with and I can’t believe how nice the detectorists
I have met at rallies and events are. Everyone is willing to share information
and knowledge and there is such a passion for history. It is inspiring.’
S. Ballard
- Crawfords Metal Detectors
‘I've had
experience with mental health problems since my heart attack. I'm glad to
be able to get out and meet people doing what I like most.’
A. Fudge –
Facebook
We’d like to thank all the detectorists and key detecting industry
brands who shared their professional and personal perceptions within this blog.
Please see below for useful links to help you with mental health and metal
detecting information.
We invite those who are considering trying, or learning more about our
great hobby to reach out to Crawfords Metal Detectors for advice on equipment and how to begin your
detecting journey. Improve your mental health, spend your time well, and begin
metal detecting now.
Further Links and Resources for Mental
Health:
Further Links and Resources for Metal
Detecting:
