Mental Health Awareness Week runs from May 10-16; Man Utd team up with publishers DK to distribute book called United Minds: Be positive. Be curious. Be united to children living in deprived local areas; Oxford Utd boss Karl Robinson introduces mental health workshops at club
Tuesday 11 May 2021 10:34, UK
Manchester United Foundation will be distributing 5,000 books and balls to children living in deprived areas of Greater Manchester in support of Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from May 10-16.
The week-long promotion, supported by club captains Harry Maguire and Katie Zelem, is part of an effort to encourage children to talk about their mental health.
United teamed up with publishers DK, and will distribute a book called United Minds: Be positive. Be curious. Be united, aimed at children aged 8-12.
The 48-page book features Manchester United-themed activities, advice and self-care tips to inspire and engage children in looking after their overall wellbeing.
"The pandemic has been especially hard for children up and down the country," Maguire said. "They have been without regular exercise, social contact and routine, which is bound to have an impact on their mental health.
"I'm really pleased the Foundation is tackling those issues and supporting young people across Greater Manchester and beyond. The 'book and ball' is a great way to have fun, exercise and look after their overall wellbeing.
"As a parent, I know how important it is to encourage children to look after their mental health as well as their physical health. My advice to any young person is to talk about how you're feeling and seek help from your coaches, teachers or family when you feel down."
To accompany the book is a small football that features wellbeing phrases.
Zelem added: "It's fantastic to see Manchester United Foundation supporting the mental health of thousands of young people across Greater Manchester. Covid-19 has been incredibly hard, especially for children who haven't been able to socialise with friends.
"The 'book and ball' is a great way for children to learn ways in which they can improve their mental wellbeing which is so important during this time, and I hope it really benefits many in the community."
Oxford United manager Karl Robinson set up a culture of open conversation at the club by introducing mental health workshops for players and staff from academy to first team, prompted by his wife who is a Mental Health First Aid instructor.
MHFA offers training on how to support people within an organisation who may be struggling, or beginning to struggle, with their mental health, and Robinson says it's no different to having a point of contact for physical health.
"Mental Health First Aid is a number of multiple different components," Robinson said.
"It's fundamentally to come together to support what mental health is all about and how people can signpost people and how people can have a greater understanding of it.
"It's like a physical first aid where, if someone falls over or gets cut they have a representative they can go to immediately, and that person can then signpost that person on whatever their findings may be in the short term.
"Mental Health First Aid is no different to that. It's an intervention stage where we can pass people to the professionals if we think that's the right way to go, and also it's a focal point for people who might be struggling or in the early stages of suffering with problems."
