It’s time to break the silence surrounding men’s mental health – and grassroots football can lead the way.
That’s the message to be delivered at an upcoming webinar entitled: ‘90 Minutes to Tackle the Male Suicide Crisis.’
The Football Mental Health Alliance (FMHA), Tough to Talk and England’s County FAs are hosting the webinar on Teams following the recent deaths of young footballers Jack Badger, 24, and Riley Townsend, aged 12.
This event on November 28 (6.30pm-8pm) will bring together mental health experts, football coaches, players, parents/carers and advocates to address the alarming rise in male suicides within society and, as a result, grassroots football.
“Football is more than just a game – it’s a lifeline for millions of men,” said Danny Matharu, founder of FMHA. “Yet, the very culture that builds teamwork and resilience can also contribute to a silence that’s costing lives.
“We need to break this silence and create a community where mental health is openly discussed, without stigma or shame.
“Suicide affects many, many people but in grassroots football, the ripple effects are vast. Not only are families affected, but teammates, players, coaches and whole clubs are also hit by the tragedy.”
While 13.5 million people play football regularly in England, the total number of people involved in grassroots football weekly, including spectators, referees, volunteers and others, could easily exceed 40 million.
This underscores grassroots football’s massive scale, importance and influence in English society, it’s economy and people’s mental health.
The 90-minute expert-led webinar aims to tackle the unique mental health challenges faced by men in and out of grassroots football. It’s designed to address, tackle and educate around male suicide.
The webinar will be led by Tough to Talk founder, Steve Whittle, a renowned figure in the fight against male suicide. Steve aims to build an environment where men feel empowered to seek help.
“Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK,” he said. “Grassroots football, often seen as a sanctuary for men, is not immune to this crisis.
“By addressing these issues head-on, this webinar aims to equip coaches, players, parents/carers and the whole grassroots community with the tools they need to support those who might be struggling in silence.
“This isn’t just about awareness; it’s about taking action and offering support and education. Every conversation could be the one that saves a life.
“We urge clubs, coaches and community members to attend and participate in this vital conversation.”
The webinar is free and open to the public. To register go to https://vault.thefmha.com/tackling-the-male-suicide-crisis/
