This weekend, the Premier League are running an ‘Inside Matters' campaign which is all about mental health. The campaign encourages football fans to check in with each other, whether that be at the match or away from football, and to open up more about mental health.
All clubs are on board with the campaign and it will be visible at all ten Premier League fixtures this weekend.
To raise more awareness about the campaign, Wolves have produced a ten-minute video about the importance of opening up and talking to someone if you are struggling mentally. The video shows a Wolves fan outside Molineux who blindfolds himself with a Wolves scarf. He holds up a sign that reads:
“Suicide and poor mental health are more common than we admit. Suicide is the biggest killer of men and women under 25, and of men under 50. If you need it, give me a hug or stop for a chat.”
The video then shows several strangers walking up to the man and speaking to him and giving him a hug. At the end of the video, a message on the screen tells us that there were four individuals who didn't appear in the video who were severely struggling with their mental health. They were given on-site support and signposted to key mental health services.
Please don't suffer in silence.
There is 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 somebody that will listen. pic.twitter.com/pFexWjMsBv
— Wolves (@Wolves) May 10, 2024
Football fans praise ‘important' Inside Matters campaign
The video clearly resonated with several people in the online football community as it attracted plenty of positive comments on social media.
One fan said: “I’m just watching this now for the first time. In floods, I know the team have been working on this for a long time, and lots of people across the club and Foundation have been passionate about bringing it to life. So important and so impactful. Huge respect.”
Another posted: “A fantastic piece of work that clearly had a huge impact on many people. Well done. We need to look out for each other. We all get swallowed by the darkness at some point and need that little support to get us through.”
A third added: “This is so touching. Such a lovely & powerful gesture. Literally had tears in my eyes in the first minute of watching.”
If you are in need of immediate mental health support, please call 999, Samaritans on 116 123, or Papyrus on 0800 068 4141. Text SHOUT to 85258.