Newcastle United players open up to share wellbeing advice with supporters facing mental health challenges
Newcastle United players have helped to tackle mental health challenges in the North East by sharing personal tips and messages of advice, encouraging supporters to take positive actions that will improve their wellbeing.
Members of the clubs men’s and women’s squads teamed up with the Newcastle United Foundation to share messages centred around dealing with stress and high-pressure situations, as part of a campaign encouraging people to open up on World Mental Health Day.
Messages from each player have been positioned inside InPost lockers located at the Newcastle United Foundation’s base, NUCASTLE, powered by Newcastle Building Society, which is a short walk from St. James’ Park.
Each message is accompanied by a QR code linking to the Foundation’s Be A Game Changer campaign webpage, providing a range of mental wellbeing resources for people of all ages.
The club and Foundation united to develop the campaign – backed by InPost – with the aim of encouraging open conversations about mental health. Stimulated by the North East’s growing suicide rate – recorded as the second highest by region in England last year - the campaign forms part of a year-round commitment to supporting locals with their mental wellbeing.
Newcastle United defender Dan Burn and Newcastle United Women’s captain Amber-Keegan Stobbs joined the Foundation’s Health and Wellbeing Project Officer, Joe Rogers, to help install their teammates messages onto InPost lockers, ensuring that the campaign kicked-off in time for World Mental Health Day on Thursday, October 10.
Dan Burn commented: “As a club and as players, mental health is something we’re passionate about. We all need to encourage each other to open up more and set a positive example for the younger generation. When they see a Premier League footballer discussing the same challenges they’re facing, it makes them more comfortable when speaking openly.
“Looking at the messages the lads have shared on the lockers, it’s a really nice feeling. Hopefully it will be a comfort to members of the community, reassuring them that we all face challenging periods in our lives.”
Amber-Keegan Stobbs stated: “When I was growing up, mental health wasn’t spoken about as openly as this, so it’s great to be involved in such a proactive initiative. It will be really nice for locals to come and see supportive messages, advice and tips from both squads.
“We’re usually just labelled as footballers, but we’re people too. I’m proud to be part of this type of campaign and hopefully by sharing messages that resonate with everyone in the North East we can spread some positivity across the community.”
Newcastle United Foundation’s Health and Wellbeing programme is supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballer’s Association. Administered through the Premier League Charitable Fund, the funding helps football clubs to tackle inequality and respond to local challenges, supporting people and their communities to be more inclusive.
Earlier this week, Foundation staff completed affirmation cards at a wellbeing breakfast, sharing advice to give their younger self, someone they are grateful for, how they take care of their mental health, and one thing they are proud of.
For more information about the Foundation and programmes near you, follow Newcastle United Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X for regular news and updates.