The English Football League (EFL) and its Clubs will once again come together with charity partner, Mind, to collectively recognise World Mental Health Day which takes place this Sunday 10th October.
Across the week, EFL Clubs will ‘Do One Thing’ as an act of kindness to someone deserving within their local communities with Mind campaigning that if we all do one thing to fight for mental health, we can change everything. These acts of kindness include:
- Exeter City will be delivering a care package to a supporter who is currently going through Chemotherapy.
- Hartlepool United to surprise users of their local food bank with match tickets.
- Swansea City Manager Russell Martin and Chief Executive Mark Allen to join a mental health drop-in session.
From today, Clubs and Club Community Organisations (CCOs) will be sharing their activity across their channels throughout the week.
EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, said: “Over the past four seasons, our partnership with Mind has been instrumental in creating a significant cultural change towards mental health within football.
The partnership has provided players, staff, and fans across the football community with an important platform that has contributed not only to a change in outdated attitudes but also has positively impacted people’s lives.
“World Mental Health Day presents us with another opportunity to continue the conversation and showcase that life-changing support on a national and local level.
It is fantastic to see EFL Clubs and Club Community Organisations come together once again to demonstrate the excellent efforts they make to improve the mental health and wellbeing of their communities.”
Mind Chief Executive, Paul Farmer, said: “We’re delighted to come together again with the EFL, as part of our On Your Side charity partnership, to celebrate World Mental Health Day.
We know how hard the pandemic has made life, particularly for football fans, and that too many people are still not getting the support they need, so there’s never been a more important time to fight for better mental health.
“Our message to fans is that if we all do one thing, we can change everything. Even small gestures can have a big impact, so whether it’s sending a message to a mate to check in on them or signing up for an active challenge to fundraise for Mind’s work, we’re encouraging everyone to mark World Mental Health Day by doing #OneThing for mental health.”
To find out more information and for how to get involved with ‘Do One Thing’ on World Mental Health Day, please visit: mind.org.uk/EFL