As part of the support from across the EFL for World Mental Health Day Carlisle United have provided tickets for the Community Sports Trust’s vibrant Mental Health football group for this weekend’s home game against Tranmere.
Throughout the week clubs will ‘Do One Thing’ as an act of kindness to someone deserving within their local communities, with official charity partner Mind campaigning that if we all do one thing to fight for mental health, we can change everything.
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staff and fans across the football community with an important platform which has contributed not only to a change in outdated attitudes but also has positively impacted people’s lives.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.”
CST manager John Halpin said: “On behalf of the Mental Health group I would like to say thank you to the club for the invitation to the Tranmere game.
“Our group has gone from strength-to-strength over recent years and you can’t overstate how important gestures like this are in terms of making those who attend our sessions feel so much better.
“The group is an excellent example of how bringing people together lifts spirits and contributes to a much better state of mind.
"Adding physical activity to that helps again, and it’s a pleasure to see our members every week. I’m sure they’ll enjoy coming to the game on Saturday.”
Caretaker boss Gavin Skelton, who handed over the tickets with keeper coach Dan Hanford, said: "It was a pleasure to be able to meet the Mental Health players in the Neil Centre yesterday.
"I think everyone has become more aware of the importance of being open about mental health issues with what we've all been through with the pandemic over the past two years, and it's fantastic to see that the Sports Trust has such an effective programme in place.
"We hope everyone has a good day with us at the weekend."
To find out more information and for how to get involved with ‘Do One Thing’ for World Mental Health Day, please visit: mind.org.uk/EFL.