As we come to the close of #TimeToTalk week, what better time to explain how delighted The Third Team is to have joined Newcastle United Foundation’s #BeAGameChanger campaign.
What is #BeAGameChanger?
#BeAGameChanger is a Newcastle United Foundation campaign which encourages football stakeholders to talk more about mental health and to take a proactive approach in looking after their wellbeing.
‘Be a Game Changer’, funded by Newcastle City Council and the Premier League PFA Community Fund, aims to raise awareness, and change perception of mental health issues. The campaign encourages fans to take action to look after their mental health, in a similar way they would look after their physical health.
The campaign has already reached thousands of football stakeholders, particularly men, and engaged them with topics around mental health and wellbeing, which they may have previously overlooked or not felt comfortable talking about.
How Did The Third Team Become Involved With #BeAGameChanger?
We first engaged with Newcastle United Foundation’s #BeAGameChanger campaign in November 2019 when we attended a men’s mental health event at St James’ Park. On that evening I was extremely impressed with what I heard from Les, a beneficiary of the campaign, having attended the program following an attempt to complete suicide. He spoke passionately about the impact that their work had made upon his mental health & wellbeing and how much this had allowed him to value the time with his children and his role as a father.
“This campaign is so important, through the real life stories it has introduced me to people who are just like me. On the outside we look different; but the story is the same. We have had our demons and by sharing we have helped others. I’ve received the best advice I’ve ever had by people who have been in the same situation as me” – Les, #BeAGameChanger Beneficiary
You can read more on Les’ story Here.
This event at St James’ Park in November 2019 also introduced me to Bruce Durham, who the Foundation had brought in to deliver a really insightful and interactive workshop. Bruce’s presentation very definitely made the gentlemen in the room think differently and challenged the views and thinking of those in attendance around Mental Health. This evening also allowed me to hear from Oliver Bell and Thomas Graham, key members of the team running #BeAGameChanger at the Foundation. The passion they had for the schemes they were running, such as walking football and lifestyle workshops shone through, as did the obvious difference these programs had made to a number of the group members in the room.
Following the men’s mental health event at St James’ Park event in November 2019, I kept a close and keen eye on the work of the Foundation and the #BeAGameChanger campaign. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic the 2020 event was held over Zoom. On this event we heard the great medical advice from Newcastle United club doctor, Dr Paul Catterson, regarding how he has implemented systems in order to monitor the mental health and wellbeing of the professional footballers he is responsible for. We also heard from Newcastle United’s Head of Sports Science, Jamie Harley, who spoke of the harrowing events around losing two of his closest friends to suicide.
“I’ve lost two good friends to suicide, it was completely unexpected. It looked as if they had everything going for them and a perception from the outside that everything must be fine. They had good, secure jobs, stable family life and kids, but just really short periods of really high stress or events that happened in their life led to this happening.” – Jamie Harley, Head of Sports Science, Newcastle United
You can read about Jamie becoming a #BeAGameChanger ambassador Here.
At the end of the 2020 session it was made clear that there were opportunities to join the Foundation as a #BeAGameChanger Business Champion. As a keen mental health advocate, The Third Team Managing Director, Nathan Sherratt, was extremely keen to get the business involved in such a well organised and effective campaign. This lead to a conversation which lead to the announcement of The Third Team as a #BeAGameChanger Business Champion at the beginning of #TimeToTalk week in February 2021.
Why is Talking About Mental health Important?
The North East has the one of the highest male suicide rates in the country. Sadly, the number of people taking their own lives is on the increase nationally and men account for 75 per cent of all recorded suicides in the UK. Suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20 to 49 in England and Wales.
If we talk more openly about mental health, we can take steps to look after ourselves, and each other, more effectively. The more we talk about mental health, the more acceptable it becomes and the easier people find it to open up.
As football fans we keep a close eye on our team, and we know you keep a close eye on your mates too. So we know that’s the best way to get the ball rolling and start talking. Together, we can save lives.
When people with mental health problems feel more able to be open and honest about their experiences, it becomes easier for them to seek help when they are feeling unwell. The earlier a person gets help the more likely they are to recover.
For more information about Be A Game Changer or for help and advice from Newcastle United Foundation, visit: nufoundation.org.uk/beagamechanger
Join the Be A Game Changer Facebook Group to follow the campaign, and let’s get talking about mental health!
Best Wishes,
Nathan Sherratt
Referee Educator & Managing Director of The Third Team
Nathan Sherratt
Nathan Sherratt, Referee Educator, Resilience Trainer and Managing Director of The Third Team. A Mental Toughness Practitioner based in County Durham, North East England.