Brentwood Town Football Club is proud to announce a new charity partnership with Grassroots Suicide Prevention as part of November being Men’s Health Month, strengthening the club’s commitment to supporting the wellbeing of its players, supporters and wider community.
The partnership aims to use the power and reach of football to encourage conversations around men’s mental health, raise awareness of suicide prevention and help break down the stigma that can often prevent people from speaking openly about how they are feeling.
Men’s mental health remains an important issue, and football clubs have a unique opportunity to bring people together, create supportive and safe environments and remind individuals that they are never alone.
The statistics surrounding suicide highlight just how important this work is. According to our new partner, approximately 115 people die by suicide every week in the UK, while research suggests that one in four people will experience suicidal thoughts at some point during their lifetime.
Suicide is also the leading cause of death among people under the age of 35. These figures underline the importance of breaking down stigma, encouraging open conversations and making sure people know that support is available.
It is a reminder that a simple conversation, asking someone how they really are or taking the time to listen could make a life-changing difference.
As part of the partnership, we will be hosting a dedicated fundraising fixture against Ramsgate on Saturday 14 November, as our closest home fixture to International Men’s Day. The match provides an opportunity to raise funds for Grassroots Suicide Prevention and awareness for men’s mental health.
The club is encouraging supporters, players and the wider community to get behind the fixture and help make a difference to an issue that affects so many people.
Grassroots Suicide Prevention is dedicated to equipping people with the knowledge and confidence to help prevent suicide, providing education and support to create communities where people feel able to talk and seek help when they need it.
A key resource developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention is its Stay Alive app, a free and confidential suicide prevention tool designed to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts, as well as those worried about someone else.
The app provides a range of practical resources, including personalised safety plans, access to local and national support services, guidance on recognising warning signs and advice on how to support someone who may be struggling. It also features a ‘LifeBox’, allowing users to save meaningful photos, videos and memories, alongside wellness tools and personal reminders of their reasons for living.
Available on both Apple and Android devices, Stay Alive provides an accessible resource that can help people find support when they need it most.
· The app is completely free, with no advertising or paid features.
· 1 million+ downloads since its launch in 2014.
· Available in 22 languages.
Through this partnership, Brentwood Town Football Club hopes to reinforce an important message: It’s okay to talk, it’s okay to ask for help, and no one should ever feel they have to face things alone.
Football is a common ground which brings communities together. Let’s use that same sense of togetherness to make sure nobody feels they have to face their struggles alone.
Together, we can all help make a difference.
