Published by Alexander Chandy
Mental Health is a worldwide issue and the football
community is no exception. One in four people will experience a mental health
problem in their lifetime. Mental Health is relevant to everyone in sport, even
at the elite level.Hartlepool United Football Club are proactively looking to positively
influence the behaviours of all of their communities, teaming up with training
provider, Learning Curve Group, to offer free online training in Mental Health
Awareness. By showing that football players are interested in learning about
mental health and open to talking about it, this can encourage supporters to do
the same.Men's football has seen some tragedies in the past caused by
mental health problems such as the deaths of Gary Speed and Robert Enke by
suicide. Research shows that men are less likely to speak out about mental
health problems, with only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for
men. Hartlepool United Football Club and Learning Curve Group recognise that
through education and regular sessions to talk about mental health, this is how
the stigma can be broken.Hartlepool United Football Club Manager, Dave Challinor
said: “The mental health awareness session with Learning Curve Group was a
great opportunity to get the team together and allow them to open up and be
listened too. Talking about mental health used to be something that was frowned
upon but now attitudes are changing in football, we want to look after our
player's mental health just as much as their physical health. Hopefully by our
supports seeing us do workshops like this, it will encourage them to learn
about mental health and help break the stigma around it.”A spokesperson for Hartlepool United Football Club said: “Learning
Curve Group has sponsored the back of our club shirts since the beginning of
the season, and we really wanted to work with them to begin a movement of
education that we believe will make a difference within the game we love. We'd
like to invite other clubs to join us as we embark on this journey towards a
better understanding of mental health in football.”Fans, players and club personnel can access government
funded training from Learning Curve Group, meaning they can enrol onto an
online course in Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness at no cost. The
courses cover various topics including the different issues including signs,
triggers and symptoms of mental health problems and how to support individuals
who are struggling with their mental health.CEO at Learning Curve Group, Brenda McLeish, said: “I am
really proud of the work that we are doing with Hartlepool United Football Club
to support a movement towards a more supportive game. I'm a firm believer in
the power of education, and that we can break the stigma and build a better
understanding of mental health problems amongst footballers and supporters.“I hope that this partnership will allow us to continue our efforts in promoting a world that is more open to talking and supporting each other, and I'm looking forward to seeing the impact this campaign will have in communities across Hartlepool and beyond.”
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