Christophe Berra encourages men to team up to chat about mental health

17th October 2018

Today, SAMH, The Movember Foundation, SPFL Trust and Big Hearts Community Trust have teamed up to launch a joint initiative committed to helping football fans, and the wider community live happier, healthier and longer lives.

‘The Changing Room’ has one goal – to bring men aged 30 to 64 together to take action on their mental health and wellbeing using the power of the beautiful game.   

Heart of Midlothian defender and team captain Christophe Berra, speaks at the launch of The Changing Room programme at Tynecastle.

“I’m delighted to support The Changing Room at Tynecastle Park. Men can benefit from being more aware of their mental health. The programme will provide the right environment for them to come together for a chat and improve their wellbeing.”

The partnership brings together a joint ambition to address the issues around men’s mental health aiming to bring about meaningful social interactions and conversations to ultimately reduce the high rate of male suicide.  Men in their middle years remain the most at risk group being three times more likely than women to die by suicide each year.   

Robert Nesbitt, SAMH Head of Physical Activity and Sport said:

“We are delighted to be at Tynecastle today to launch The Changing Room at Heart of Midlothian F.C.  Thank you to our partners for making this possible.

“At SAMH we know that talking is one of the first steps to better mental health.  We want men to start conversations whether it’s in the stadium, in the stands, in online chat rooms, even in the queue for a pie and Bovril.  We want to inspire, educate and equip men to invest in their own wellbeing.

“This programme aims to positively impact the lives of the many men and women who support Hearts and the wider community.” 

The Changing Room will link men to community resources and deliver direct interventions co-produced with men forming new connections through group activities to improve their mental health. 

The first group of men in their middle years to take part in the programme at Hearts F.C. will meet at Tynecastle once a week, for 12 weeks to start positive conservations about mental health.

For more information contact thechangingroom@samh.org.uk