Manchester United launch Academy Mental Health Awareness Month

The month aims to highlight the important work that the Academy does throughout the year in this area.

The Academy has worked closely with health organisations and charities to devise a bespoke programme which seeks to promote mental health and wellbeing across its world-leading youth development system.

A range of activities will take place during March including sports psychology workshops, practical training sessions, roundtable discussions and branding at matches.

Each week will focus on a different theme, adopting the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ recommended by Mind, with sessions being held on connecting, taking notice, being active, giving back and continuous learning.

First-team players and club legends will address various age groups across the month to discuss personal experiences and take questions from the group on how they built resilience throughout their careers.

Resources and expertise will be shared with Bayern Munich and SL Benfica as the Academy is joined by European clubs to support players, staff and parents with practical mental health lessons.

Harry Maguire will be the Ambassador for the Mental Health Awareness Month. United’s captain will directly participate in a variety of sessions and actively encourage conversation around the subject of mental health across the Club.

Manchester United players and staff will regularly wear the Mental Health Foundation’s green ribbon throughout March to raise awareness and support good mental health for all.

Nick Cox, Head of Academy, said:

“We are really proud of the extensive work that we do in supporting the mental health of our players and staff. Our Mental Health Awareness Month enables the Academy to build on, and highlight, the key messages of our wider enrichment programme that takes place throughout the season.

“The mental health of our players is just as important as their physical and technical development. We therefore continue to play our part in taking active measures to ensure that they are encouraged to talk about mental health to help lift the stigma associated with it.

“The Awareness Month, which has been carefully designed over the past year, will support our players, staff and Academy parents to take a proactive approach in taking care of their own mental health.

“The groups will also directly learn the signs that someone may be struggling and the support mechanisms that are in place that they can then access.

“There are clear performance benefits for the players, and we also hope that fans will engage with the campaign so that the Academy can play its part in getting everyone to promote mental health and wellbeing together.”

Harry Maguire, Club Captain, said:

“Manchester United does fantastic work in this area across the first-team, Academy and in the community. I am looking forward to supporting the Academy in my role as Mental Health Awareness Month Ambassador. I know first-hand what players experience when they are developing and, as Club Captain, I am always there to support them as they come through the system.

“It is important that everyone feels comfortable to discuss any problems they may have and that as a society we promote good mental health for all. The Awareness Month provides the perfect platform to build on the work already being done to promote the mental health and wellbeing of our young players.”

Manchester United has consistently shown its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. As part of that commitment the Club has regularly raised awareness and attempted to tackle the important issues in society, such as mental health.

The club’s own equality programme, #allredallequal, encompasses all the hard work done by United players, staff and supporters within this essential area.