Suicide is the biggest killer of people under the age of 35.

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50.

One in four of us will suffer with our mental health each year.

I could go on. In terms of personal impact, we will all know of someone close to us, a friend or close relative, who has taken their own life.

At the lower end if a quarter of us is impacted by poor mental health that will equate to – four of our Matchday Squad, two of the coaching staff, three or four of the Club Committee, eighty plus of our Matchday attendance [and please do not forget the opposition and the matchday officials] . . . . . . .

We believe that Hungerford Town is a Family and Community Club and at the start of the season were excited to be approached by the Berks and Bucks FA to put on a session around Mental Health in Football. That session took place in March when David Beaney – a football fan, himself, and author of “Breaking the Silence” ran a session at the club. David is very open about his own mental health struggle – for thirty years he did not speak out. He led an entertaining and informative discussion about the importance of looking out for ourselves and for each other; and suggestions for supporting our teammates, friends and colleagues.

The session was supported throughout the club from the Chairman and Management down and as a result more than thirty attended. Both Danny and Jason enabled players to take a break from their busy end of season schedules – the whole of the Under 23 squad, a bunch of the First Team (a motorway accident preventing others from attending), coaching staff, committee and media staff attended.

I think over all it was a reminder to us that, while football is a serious matter, life and death still do top the table.

For us it is the start of something. As a club we will continue to promote positive mental health in and around the club. Please continue to support this.

I won’t apologise that as stadium announcer I will remind you to be kind to yourself and each other. As the Hungerford Town FC Welfare and Safeguarding Officer if you need to talk reach out to me – my number is on the club website. I won’t judge you. Speak to your GP. Speak to a friend.

I know that there is a stigma, a shame and an embarrassment about poor mental health but please do LOOK OUT, LISTEN OUT, REACH OUT, SPEAK OUT.

Together as one.

Useful Contacts – this list is not exhaustive
Samaritans - 116123
SHOUT - 24 hour UK confidential text messaging service. Text 'Shout' to 85258
CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably – 0800 585858 www.thecalmzone.net
MIND - www.mind.org.uk
For Young People
Time to Talk West Berkshire – hello@t2twb.org
Kooth.com - free online counselling and emotional wellbeing support for young people 11 to 18 years of age.
PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide) - www.papyrus-uk.org - Hopeline Call: 0800 068 4141 – Text: 88247

P.S. Don’t forget the powerful role that we play as supportive individuals.