Saddlers players Priestley Farquharson and George Barrett stopped by to show their support for Walsall FC Foundation’s Beat The Block mental health sessions recently.
The sessions aim to help local adults improve their mental health and wellbeing, with a football session at the Poundland Bescot Stadium every Thursday morning.
The project, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, also includes an optional 30-minute social session after the football, where participants can speak to other coaches, mental health professionals and peers to share their stories.
Today is World Mental Health Day, highlighting the important of mental health across the globe, and Farquharson and Barrett got involved with more than 20 players on the stadium astro turf.
“Many of these are people who come to support us and we have to try to do the same in return,” said Farquharson.
“Listening to them in the huddle, just us being here, them seeing one of the players coming to support them, it hopefully means something.”
The pair took on the role of managers in a friendly match, played with the competitive spirit and camaraderie we’ve come to expect from Beat The Block.
George Barrett added: “Your mental health is important no matter where you are. Even if you are a professional athlete you need that support network around you.
“It’s vital for these people to come together as a community and have opportunities like this. You forget that maybe they don’t have this outside of their nine-to-five, so Beat The Block is brilliant.”
Physical activity is proven as a route to improved mental wellbeing, with exercise and sport reducing stress and lifting mood.
A huge boost also came for our Beat The Block participants last month, when the participants were able to play a short game on the pitch in front of the Saddlers faithful.
Chris Springthorpe, Health Manager at Walsall FC Foundation said: “Our Beat the Block group is all about offering that support network for adults who may be struggling with their mental wellbeing.
“Mental health can affect people in many different ways. In our group alone we have men who are affected by PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), loss of a family member or friend, time in prison, or suicidal thoughts.
“Football can be a coping mechanism for them, as can having a group where they can share their thoughts and feelings without judgement – everyone is here for similar reasons.
“It was great to have Priestley and George visiting us to show their support. It may seem a small gesture, but means so much to of our participants, particularly the Saddlers fans in the group.
To find out more about mental health support at Walsall FC Foundation, visit https://walsallfccp.com/health/mentalhealth/.
