Community News: Mental health awareness week

Written by James Smith

Monday sees the start of Mental Health Awareness week.

As a club we provide support to our community to whoever needs it including community groups to support those with loneliness, dementia and mental health conditions.

Whether it’s a support group, a personal one to one, mental health first aiders at home matches or our social events, we are proud to be an advocate of mental health and other conditions.

As someone who has suffered with anxiety I’ve found the distraction of football and its community very supportive and helping the club has helped give me a purpose and sense of achievement with my media work.

I’m quite open about talking about it and willing to talk to anyone who may need information or support themselves or for others.

Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of and its important to be open about it if you can and talk to people. If you’re having a bad day, it’s ok, don’t bottle it up, let someone know and it will help relieve any stress, anxiety or worries.

The club initiative to have Mental Health First Aiders at home games is, I believe, the first of its kind in the country and has been well received by many.

They are easily recognisable at games with a green high visibility jacket. So please feel free to approach them and they will talk in confidence away from others in a private space.

Mental health can affect anyone at anytime in life. Be kind and remember it’s ok not to be ok.

#towntogether #youareenough