Tottenham urging fans to ask for help this Christmas
The Premier League club has teamed up with the Samaritans to make a film tackling the stigma around mental health
Tottenham have released a film to encourage people struggling with their mental health this Christmas to talk.
They've made it in partnership with the Samaritans.
New research commissioned by Spurs has found more than half of those struggling are reluctant to ask for support and one in five are finding this festive period tougher than last year.
It also found for people reluctant to pick up the phone to seek help, 28% admitted it was because they wouldn’t know how to start the conversation, 32% didn’t feel their own struggles were serious enough and 33% felt embarrassed
The film features Spurs Men’s and Women’s Head Coaches Thomas Frank and Martin Ho, as well as first team players from the men’s and women’s teams.
At today's game with Liverpool (Sat 20th December), photographers Life In The South Stand will be offering fans the chance of personal or group portraits taken alongside the white phone box featured in the film, hoping supporters will spread the word on social media around the importance of picking up the phone if you need help.
Cards with helpline numbers and a message of support will also be handed out around the stadium to both sets of fans.
The campaign builds on the club’s existing work with the Premier League and Together Against Suicide, that has seen the launch of a home matchday support service delivered by Mind in Haringey – since September, this has received over 100 contacts and has already made potentially life-saving interventions.
• Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK takes their own life
• 25% of people in the UK have considered suicide
• 84% of football fans believe the sport helps start a conversation on the topic
_"we want to break the stigma that exists around people not reaching out for the support they need for fear of being judged"_
Vinai Venkatesham, Tottenham Hotspur CEO, who co-created Together Against Suicide alongside broadcaster Roman Kemp, said: “At Spurs, we want to break the stigma that exists around people not reaching out for the support they need for fear of being judged.
“Premier League football and its clubs benefit from a huge platform to demonstrate how making that first call for help can make all the difference. We are extremely proud to be working alongside Samaritans to convey this message.
“We hope the release of today’s film, the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide campaign, and the further activity we have planned sparks conversations amongst football fans up and down the country ahead of Christmas – support is there for you if you need it, so do not hesitate to speak to someone for help.”
Sonya Trivedy, Executive Director of External Engagement at Samaritans, said: “One in four of us will have suicidal thoughts so it’s vital we tackle the stigma that prevents people from seeking support. That’s why we’re proud of our work with Tottenham Hotspur, which encourages us all to open up if we’re struggling.
“Sharing how you feel when you’re in crisis can seem scary, but that first conversation is the most important one. Last year, Samaritans answered more than a quarter of a million calls for help over the festive period and our volunteers are ready to take your call 24/7 if you’re struggling this winter, even on Christmas Day, so you don’t have to face things alone.
“If just one Spurs fan goes on to call us after seeing this video, it could help save a life.”