Ripon Cricket Club in North Yorkshire has partnered with a campaign to raise awareness about men’s mental health and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health in men through sport.
The initiative aims to foster open dialogue about mental well-being and promote suicide prevention, responding to alarming statistics highlighting the high rates of male suicide. The club is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where men feel safe to express their emotions and seek help when needed.
Lorna Fassnidge, the club’s safeguarding officer, emphasized the importance of fostering an atmosphere where members and volunteers feel heard and supported. “Ripon Cricket Club values its members and volunteers and actively encourages a culture of speaking out,” she said. “Sport brings people together, and we’ve invited representatives from smaller clubs within our cricket community to join us in spreading this important message.”
As part of the initiative, a representative from Opening Up Cricket and Andy’s Man Club will visit Ripon Cricket Club on Thursday, April 3, at 7:30 PM to discuss mental health and the campaign.
Jackie Crozier, deputy mayor of Ripon and Spa ward councillor, who also sponsors the women’s cricket team, expressed her support for the cause: “We support any mental health initiative that encourages men to open up about their feelings,” she said.
This campaign is part of a broader effort to dismantle the “men don’t cry” mentality and encourage men to show strength through vulnerability.
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