08 Oct FOUNDATION PARTICPANTS DISCUSS MENTAL HEALTH WITH RICHARD STEARMAN

Huddersfield Town defender Richard Stearman recently joined Town Foundation participants for an honest conversation about his Mental Health experiences.

The centre-back, who has amassed more than 500 career appearances, spoke about the support available to footballers and the help provided by his family, amongst other things.

Joining Richard on the call were two of the Town Foundation’s Mental Health Football session attendees, Tom and Liam, as well as the Foundation’s Health Manager Richard Martinson.

The call was a chance to learn more about the challenges professional athletes face, particularly in regard to being in the public eye and the pressure that can bring.

Stears was also asked about the impact of COVID-19 on himself and his Huddersfield Town team-mates, and just how much the conversation around Mental Health has changed during his playing career.

You can watch the full discussion on #HTTV by clicking the YouTube video embedded at the end of this article.

To find out more about the Town Foundation’s Mental Health football sessions, which are held at the Leeds Road Sports Complex, click here.

Anybody wishing to attend these sessions going forwards is welcome to do so, please contact Richard Martinson on Richard.martinson@htafcfoundation.com or 07741 671 595 to find out more.

Stearman was speaking ahead of World Mental Health Day, which is taking place on Saturday 10 October.

EFL charity partners MIND are asking clubs and supporters to ‘Do One Thing’ to raise awareness of the day, with this year’s event being particularly important because of the effects of COVID-19 and lockdown.

MIND’s website has a number of free resources to interact with, as well as offering help to anyone who needs it.