Notts County team up with local charity to raise mental health awareness in remaining Euros matches

A Nottingham-based charity has teamed up with Notts County Foundation to launch a new mental health campaign during the latter stages of Euro 2020.

The #MinutesForMates campaign has been launched by blOKes, an organisation that provides a platform for men aged 16 and above to open up about their feelings and experiences, to encourage people to use the 15-minute half-time break during the remaining Euro 2020 matches to text or call their close ones and find out how they are really feeling.

Data from the Office for National Statistics show that men account for around three-quarters of suicide deaths registered in 2019.

Tom Home, founder of blOKes, said: “Approximately 12 men take their own life in the UK every day, and during the 30 days that EURO 2020 will have run throughout (11.06.21-11.07.21), a devastating 360 men in total will have lost their lives to suicide.

“The #MinutesForMates initiative is designed to help more men start important conversations surrounding mental health with those around them.

“Making the effort to text or call someone takes no time at all, so utilising the 15-minute interval between halves is the ideal opportunity to check in with friends, family and colleagues to make sure they are okay.”

Using blOKes’ online forum, men can create a free account and share stories, guidance and advice based on their own lived experiences with mental health, in the hope of challenging the stigma that often prevents men from ever reaching out and asking for help.

Sam Crawford, Head of Business Development at Notts County Foundation, said: “We all have a responsibility to encourage those around us to be more honest and open when talking about how they are feeling.

“Sadly, it’s no secret that suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under the age of 45, so reiterating the message that it’s not weak or unmanly for men to speak about their mental health is indescribably important.

“At Notts County Foundation, we provide several programmes that are tailored towards improving participants’ mental wellbeing and aim to support our local communities as best as possible with a range of fun, inclusive and life-changing initiatives.

“We are proud to be working with blOKes to launch the #MinutesForMates campaign and hope that it helps men everywhere to have more honest and open conversations about their thoughts and feelings.”