Football and signings meant something different last weekend as Shetland footballers came together with Mind Your Head (MYH) as part of a new initiative.
Around 60 players across 10 senior teams met at Clickimin Leisure Complex on Friday 8 June to sign a promise to work with us to help remove the stigma of men’s mental health.
The MYH Promise is part of the sponsorship agreement between MYH and the Shetland Football Association (SFA) reserve league 2012/13 season. The players were given information packs on maintaining good mental health as well as hearing from Jenny Teale, MYH Co-ordinator, and Chairperson, Shona Manson on the importance of supporting team mates, both on and off the pitch, and the benefits of MYH and SFA working together to tackle the stigma of mental health.
SFA President, Brian Duncan also spoke about his pride at working with MYH, a charity close to many players’ hearts. He said, “When we were first approached by Mind Your Head to sponsor the reserve leage and work with us, we knew straight away it was a great idea. You can expect our committee to be running the Round Spiggie Race as part of this partnership too.”
After the event Jenny added, “Mind Your Head are delighted that so many of the Shetland teams turned out for the Promise event. Working with the teams and the SFA has given us the chance to raise awareness of mental health and reduce the stigma which surrounds it, especially within this male environment.
“A large part of our action plan this year is to highlight men's mental health. The Promises gives us the opportunity to get people talking about their own mental health and let them have the chance to feel accepted and comfortable in doing so.
“We are proud to be working alongside the SFA and launch the Mind Your Head Promise which coincided with National Men's mental health week.”
As part of the 2012/13 action plan, we intend to role out the MYH Promise to other sports group. If you would like to get involved then please email/phone Jenny – [email protected] / 01595 745035.
