Throughout November, Stockport County has been supporting Men’s Mental Health Month, with our ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign, in a bid to raise awareness for the issues men face surrounding mental health and suicide, as well as raise funds for local causes supporting these men in need.
Three out of four suicides in the UK are being committed by men, the biggest cause of death for males aged 45 or under with over 4,700 men sadly taking their life each year. Sadly, just one third of the NHS’ talking services are being used by men, so men aren’t finding their help and support they need.
We at Stockport County wanted to challenge the social stereotypes and preconceived expectations that stop men from feeling like they can’t admit to needing help. Let them know, it’s okay to not be okay, and open the dialogue.
Over the past month, the club has reached out to the local community and use its unique platform to raise awareness of the pressures and challenges those men can face when suffering with depression and mental health problems.
In a brave and honest interview, Club Captain Liam Hogan sat down with mental health specialist Jonathan Collinge to open up about the challenges he’s faced in both his personal and professional life, as well as the role he plays as captain in looking after his teammates and their mental health.
Tuesday night’s game against King’s Lynn Town also became a day designed to raise awareness about mental health, as the Cheadle End was turned green, the colour of mental health awareness, before kick-off, with a video shown on the big screen featuring messages on mental health from the squad.
In addition to this, the club has been raising money for the Stockport Samaritans, to support the amazing work the charity does for people in their time of need. Striker Scott Quigley kindly donated his BT Sport Man of the Match award of £200 to the charity, whilst bucket collections at the Aldershot and King’s Lynn game means just short of £1,000 has now been raised.
The club’s work to raise awareness and offer support to this much needed cause does not end in November. The fantastic work the County Community Trust continues all year round, with the success of our walking football sessions and the recent launch of our social wellbeing group providing a safe space for people to get out, socialise with friends, and above all, ask for help if they need it as more can always be done to support these men in crisis in the community.
It’s time for change. It’s time to open the conversation. It’s time to check in on our mates, are they really okay?
Robert Elstone, Stockport County Non-Executive Chairman said:
“We’re incredibly proud of our ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign in support of Mental Health Month. Men sadly aren’t finding the help required when they’re in their hour of need. Encouraging guys to open up and start a conversation with their inner circle is so important to avoid that feeling of isolation and crisis.
“Hopefully our campaign will have helped to make those conversations easier and encouraged any men in crisis to seek the support they need. And we hope that the funds raised will help to do some amazing work in the community, providing those much needed talking services for those who feel they can’t chat to a friend or loved one.”
