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<\/p>\nEmpty seats at two football stadiums have been adjusted to highlight the message \u2018Where\u2019s my mate'? as part of a campaign to remind people to check in on friends and loved ones who could be struggling.<\/p>\n
Rotherham United FC\u2019s AESSEAL New York Stadium, and Darlington FC\u2019s Blackwell Meadows Stadium, are currently home to the message from men\u2019s health charity Movember, with the Northeast and Yorkshire home to the highest suicide rates in the UK.<\/p>\n
More than half (55%) of those in the Northeast support a local or hometown football team, while over a third (34%) of Yorkshire residents do the same, according to a study of 2,000 adults.<\/p>\n
However, things are improving with over two thirds (68%) of men believing it\u2019s easier to talk about their mental wellbeing than it was 20 years ago.<\/p>\n
The initiative forms part of the charity\u2019s \u2018Sport the Signs\u2019 campaign, which aims to educate men on how to spot initial signs that could warrant a supportive check-in, such as when that mate – who never misses a football game – fails to show up. <\/p>\n
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The charity wants to heighten awareness around male mental wellbeing in the lead up to World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September after the research found an informal environment, such as at the pub, or watching a football game, is a time when men would be most comfortable checking in with a friend.<\/p>\n
The research found just under half (44%) of men in the UK have suffered with their mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n
However, two thirds (65%) would keep it to themselves if they were struggling, despite 48% saying speaking to a loved one has helped when suffering with their mental health.<\/p>\n
Dr Zac Seidler, global director of men\u2019s health research from Movember, said: \u201cWe believe that every football fan holds the potential to make a difference in someone's life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith our 'Sport the Signs' campaign, we're turning Rotherham United and Darlington F.C.\u2019s stadiums into platforms of hope for World Suicide Prevention Day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough \u2018filling\u2019 these empty seats with such a poignant message, we want to remind people that noticing the signs, reaching out and supporting one another can truly save lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only goal we truly care about is to stop men dying too young, and through this landmark collaboration, we hope to equip men with the knowledge, confidence, and tools that could save another man\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also emerged fewer than one in four (24%) claim to be good at opening up about their mental wellbeing to others.<\/p>\n
While men are also much less likely to open up to a friend about their mental wellbeing (30%) than women (42%).<\/p>\n
Additionally, over half (59%) of men wouldn\u2019t know the signs to look out for were someone they knew in crisis, and 55% didn\u2019t know how to reach out and start a conversation.<\/p>\n
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Despite this, 59% said they would be most likely to open up face-to-face about their mental health as when people have reached out to them in the past, 57% felt supported, 56% felt cared about and 32% felt relieved.<\/p>\n
According to data, from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), three out of four suicides in the UK, are men, and it remains the leading cause of death among men, aged between 20 and 34.<\/p>\n
Psychological research suggests that dominant masculine stereotypes that prevent men feeling like they can't talk openly about their feelings play a large contributing factor to this.<\/p>\n
This is particularly true amongst football fans, with the study, carried out via OnePoll, indicating that almost half (48%) of individuals in this community have grappled with their mental well-being.<\/p>\n
The \u2018Sport the Signs\u2019 campaign is aiming to spread awareness of the key signs that can indicate that a male friend may be in need and encourage men that if they spot a mate whose behaviour is out of character – don't ignore it, reach out.<\/p>\n
To equip people with the skills needed to have open and honest conversations with friends, the charity has created resources to reveal the key, but often missed, signals that could indicate someone is struggling.<\/p>\n
Rotherham local Howard Webb, a former Premier League and FIFA referee and representative at Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL), said: \u201cOne of the reasons we all love the game that is football is the sense of camaraderie and community it offers \u2013 whether that\u2019s supporting a team from home or coming along and watching alongside your mates. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are often surprised when they realise that the people they see the most are those who sit or stand around them at a football game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to encourage people to reach out to those around them to help prevent them from reaching crisis point.\u201d<\/p>\n
MOVEMBER\u2019S SIGNS \u2018A BRO COULD BE FEELING LOW\u2019<\/p>\n