Mental health support is reaching football fans where they gather most.
An initiative has been launched in the safe standing section of the lower John Robertson Stand at Nottingham Forest’s “City Ground” to encourage supporters to open up about their mental health, “according to recent reports”.
A QR code in the stand provides access to mental health charity “Say It Lad’s website”, where visitors can listen to anonymous voice notes shared by men talking openly about their own experiences and can also record their own.
Colin Eley, health and wellbeing manager at “Nottingham Forest Foundation”, stated that the main goal was to make sure people “don’t feel alone in going through any kind of mental health challenges”, as noted by the “BBC”.
Jonny Human, the founder and creative lead of the charity, explained that the platform ensures every submission receives attention.
Human stated, “We don’t respond to every voice note, that’s not the idea of our platform, but every voice note does get heard.”
He added, “So if you have got something that you want to say and that you want to share, then we will listen.”
He further noted, “Someone will listen to your voice note and they will take it on board. So you’re not just speaking into a void.”
The organisation has worked with football clubs across the country, including Southampton, Southend United and Ipswich Town.
Human said his desire to help others came from his own struggles with mental health.
The initiative is part of Nottingham Forest’s commitment to help supporters with their mental health on matchday, building on the “Tricky to Talk Matchday Hub” and Matchday Walk and Talks.
Additional assistance for anyone affected by these issues can be accessed through the “BBC Action Line”.