A CAMPAIGN to tackle men’s mental health called ‘It Takes Balls to Talk’ will kick off at the Ricoh Arena before this Saturday’s match.
Volunteer mental health campaigners will be at the Coventry City versus Fleetwood Town game (January 21, 3pm) to ‘speak to fans about the need to speak up about their mental health.’
They say their aim is to ’emphasise the stark truth that men face a four-in-one chance of experiencing mental illness at some point in their lives’.
The ongoing campaign targets men at sports-related events with messages about reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.
They have already been at a Wasps rugby union game at the Ricoh, and other sports events across the area with campaign messages and information about local services.
‘It takes balls to talk’ is supported by mental health provider Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, Samaritans and a range of other public sector organisations and sports organisations.
Campaign founder and mental health worker Alex Cotton said: “The campaign aims to reach out to men in Coventry and Warwickshire, and the people who care about them.
“The simple message is that it really helps to talk about how you feel. It can be difficult to speak up about your mental health, but there are people who can help.
“We are really grateful to Coventry City Football Club and the Ricoh Arena for their continued support, and we hope fans at this game will be as enthusiastic about our campaign as people have been at all the other events we have been to.
“The new year is a time that many people find extremely difficult, so we hope we can provide a timely reminder to men in our area that if you speak to someone – or can be a ‘listening mate’ for a pal who needs you – it can really make a difference.”
Campaigners pledge they will will be attending more sporting events this year.
Viisit the campaign website at www.ittakesballstotalk.com , or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
